Manchester United set sights on LaLiga defender with low release clause

Manchester United are growing increasingly confident that they can strike a deal for Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu, reports AS via TEAMtalk. 

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seeking defensive reinforcements this summer, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo out of favour and Eric Bailly a regular feature on the sidelines. 

And while the Premier League side have routinely been linked with moves for world class stars Kalidou Koulibaly, who is being courted by Newcastle, and Matthijs de Ligt, United are instead looking to bolster their defence with the capture of Salisu. 

Salisu has started all but one of Real Valladolid's 27 league matches this season, yet has a modest €12m release clause, which appeals to United. 

Scouts for Solskjaer's side have been impressed by the 21-year-old's performances in a Real Valladolid backline that has conceded a respectable 33 league goals this term. 

Atletico Madrid are also monitoring Salisu, but the player is represented by the father of United midfielder Juan Mata, which weighs in their favour. 

The Ghana international is averaging the fifth most clearances per game (5) in LaLiga this season to help him to a WhoScored rating of 6.77.