Manchester United could enter the transfer market for a central defender during the summer.

The Red Devils are on the verge of extending Harry Maguire’s contract, but there is room for another quality addition with the injury concerns for Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez.

Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg has claimed that United are interested in landing Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, who could leave for a knockdown price this summer.

The German’s contract at Dortmund expires at the end of next season. If he does not renew, the 26-year-old could be available for £26 million to £31 million during the next transfer window.

Plettenberg said: “I can confirm that Man Utd are interested in Nico Schlotterbeck. If he doesn’t renew his contract, he’ll be available in the summer for €30m-€35m.”

The former Freiburg man has developed into one of the best central defenders in the German top-flight.

He has been brilliant for Dortmund this campaign with a passing accuracy of almost 90 percent.

The German has been superb in duels too, winning 5.5 per game. Schlotterbeck has also impressed with his tackling, recoveries and ability to clear his lines regularly.

Schlotterbeck’s other strength...