Manchester United weigh £35m move for Dortmund's Waldemar Anton as defensive concerns mount

Manchester United are weighing a £35million offer for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Waldemar Anton, with manager Michael Carrick having already dispatched scouts to assess the Germany international ahead of a potential summer move.

The interest reflects deepening concern at Old Trafford over the fitness of the club’s existing centre-back options. Lisandro Martinez managed just 19 appearances across all competitions last season, while Matthijs de Ligt was sidelined from November onwards following a serious back injury that required surgery. United are said to have significant reservations about the long-term reliability of both defenders.

Anton, 29, joined Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2024 for £18million and has since established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s more consistent defenders. He made his senior Germany debut that same year and has accumulated 12 caps, including a role in the squad that secured World Cup qualification. He is part of Julian Nagelsmann’s group for the upcoming tournament in North America, where Germany — who exited at the group stage in 2022 — have been drawn in Group E alongside Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

United acknowledge that a deal is unlikely to be concluded before the World Cup begins, and are aware that a strong tournament could push Anton’s valuation beyond the current £35million figure. He faces competition for a Germany starting berth from Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Malick Thiaw, though he remains contracted to Dortmund until 2028. Reports suggest he has a long-standing ambition to play in the Premier League.

Defence is not the only area Carrick is looking to strengthen. United are said to be close to agreeing a deal with Atalanta for midfielder Ederson, who would fill the holding role vacated by the departed Casemiro. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is also on the club’s shortlist, though he is reported to be leaning towards a move to Manchester City. Further midfield targets include Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

A left-back is also on the agenda, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall among those linked, while United are monitoring the forward market — a search complicated by the expected return of Marcus Rashford from his loan spell at Barcelona.