Manchester United told how much centre-back Rio Ferdinand thinks could be ‘best in the world’ would cost

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Manchester United have learned how much a potential centre-back target would cost this summer, according to reports.

Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has been repeatedly linked to Manchester United in recent windows and, according to ESPN, the La Liga side would be ‘open’ to letting him leave this summer.

However, only if a club offers a transfer fee in the region of £85.5m for the 25-year-old.

Araujo is a regular in the Barcelona starting XI but is reportedly seen as expendable as the club looks to raise funds for their own signings in the summer.

Bayern Munich are said to have been interested in January and are now expected to return for the Uruguayan.

However, it’s added one ‘big’ Premier League team is also keeping a keen eye on the situation and would make a move if Barcelona ‘encourage bids.’

United need a centre-back in the summer

It’s looking increasingly as though a new centre-back will be a big priority for United in the summer, regardless if Erik ten Hag is in charge or not.

Several of them have been linked on Wednesday alone, with the club touted to have an interest in another Barcelona man in Jules Kounde as well as Juventus’ Bremer.

It’s understandable why United need to spend millions on a centre-back once again.

Lisandro Martinez has been out for the vast majority of the season while Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane have both had injury troubles as well.

That has left United short of options and forced into playing 36-year-old Jonny Evans far more than anticipated.

Plenty of additions will be needed in the summer but a centre-back is at the top of the list.

Rio Ferdinand rates Ronald Araujo highly

Rio Ferdinand has discussed Araujo’s links with United in the past and rates him very highly.

The United great thinks the combative defender has the capabilities to be world-class but, if he was him, he would not sign for United.

Speaking on FIVE in December, Ferdinand said: “If I’m a player like Ronald Araujo, who I think has every attribute to be one of the best defenders in the world, why you going United?

“I’d be looking at Varane and going ‘bruv, if he can go to Manchester United and get benched for a left back, for an old vet, Jonny Evans, an old ex-player who’s come back for his twilight years and then someone who used to be captain, who was left out for 18 months who’s back in form now he’s playing’…

“I can’t go there and risk my life and risk my career.”