Manchester United target Pierre Kalulu in potential £35m Juventus hijack

Manchester United are considering a move for Juventus centre-back Pierre Kalulu, according to Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport, with the club prepared to hijack ongoing contract negotiations between the defender and the Turin side.

Kalulu, 24, joined Juventus on loan from AC Milan in 2024 before the club exercised a reported £12 million purchase option last summer. He has since impressed in Serie A and can operate both as a central defender and at right-back. Juventus are currently in talks to extend his contract — which runs until 2029 — offering improved wages and a deal that would keep him at the club until at least 2030, with an option for a further year.

United are said to have scouted Kalulu in person during Juventus’ clash with AC Milan at the San Siro. Corriere Dello Sport values the defender at approximately £35 million. Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest, but the report suggests United’s return to the Champions League next season gives them an advantage in any potential pursuit — Juventus, by contrast, missed out on European football entirely and parted ways with manager Massimiliano Allegri shortly after the season ended.

The reported interest in Kalulu forms part of a broader recruitment push under newly appointed permanent manager Michael Carrick. United have already agreed a £38 million deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson and are looking to strengthen further across the squad.

“As a football club, you want to keep moving forward,” Carrick said after the final game of the season. “There’s obviously work to do. It’s quite obvious, with certain players leaving, there’s a bit of work to do.”