Ratcliffe plots 1st summer signing as Man Utd 'intensify contact' with Brazilian

Manchester United have stepped up their approach for a Brazilian international ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Red Devils are set for their first transfer window since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's part takeover of the club was officially ratified, with the billionaire overseeing United's football operations.

After a period of malaise in Erik ten Hag's second season at the helm at Old Trafford, there is great anticipation over how the club will look to strengthen during the off-season to bounce back and mount a more concerted challenge at the top.

As such, the Red Devils have been linked with a number of transfer targets ahead of the market's opening.

One of those is a Brazil international who has drawn widespread praise and admiration from some of United's Premier League rivals - but reports claim the club has looked to steal a march on their opponents.

Calciomercato claims that United have 'intensified contacts' with Juventus star Gleison Bremer, hoping to jump to the front of the queue ahead of the summer.

Bremer made the controversial switch from Torino to cross-town rivals Juventus in summer 2022, and his since gone on to be a key part of Massmiliano Allegri's resurgence at the Old Lady.

He has featured for the Bianconeri 72 times in that period, with Juventus currently third in the league, two points off AC Milan in second but a whopping 17 short of first-placed Inter Milan

The player's emergence in Turin saw him linked with a move to Tottenham last summer, while the Express reports Arsenal and Chelsea were monitoring him back in 2022.

A powerful centre back, it is thought that he could make an ideal replacement should Harry Maguire depart this summer, with his future unclear.

Maguire had been