There is a race for quality centre-backs in Premier League during the current transfer window, but who are the most in-demand defenders? Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are just a few of the clubs in need of defensive reinforcements and the hunt is on with a world class centre-back hard to come by.
So who are the top contenders and where could they be moving to?
We take a look below...
Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly has been a long-time Premier League target
It is not the first time Kalidou Koulibaly has been heavily linked with a Premier League move - he is a transfer window regular. This summer, Man City are said to be chasing his signature and,
according to multiple media reports, offers have been submitted and Koulibaly is close to an Etihad move.
However, it seems like Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is yet to receive an offer that would force him to part with the defender, recently telling Italian radio station Radio Punto Nuovo: "Without a great offer he does not move."
He played in 25 Serie A games last season - spending some time out with injury - and made 51 tackles, 33 of which were made successfully. He also had an impressive passing accuracy of 91.39 per cent and impressed in the Champions League as Napoli went unbeaten in a group that included then-holders Liverpool.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel is close to joining Arsenal after plenty of interest from around Europe
The Lille centre-back was being looked at as a Koulibaly replacement by Napoli, but Gabriel Magalhaes is set for a move to Arsenal with Sky Sports News reporting a £27m fee has been agreed for the 22- year-old and he is in London for a medical.
The Gunners have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who held late discussions with the player's representatives , Everton and Napoli to land one of Europe's most promising centre-backs.
French football expert Jonathan Johnson told the Transfer Talk podcast if Arsenal complete the signing of Gabriel, he could form a long-term defensive partnership with William Saliba, saying: "It would be a pairing of two very good, very promising central defensive talents and potentially a partnership which could serve Arsenal for the best part of the next 10 years.
"He's a very talented guy, physical, he's strong, he's got good technique, he's made for the Premier League. He would be a good addition if Arsenal can pull it off."
Dayot Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano has excelled once again for RB Leipzig
Another talented young defender on the list, Dayot Upamecano has been making a name for himself at RB Leipzig and no more recently than in the Champions League quarter-final victory against Atletico Madrid.
He had a tackle and dribble success rate of 100 per cent as well as the joint most touches (99) and joint most clearances (5) with Atletico striker Diego Costa easily kept under wraps.
Dayot Upamecano completes an above-average number of passes, frequently directed upfield - while he also ranked second in the Bundesliga for possessions won in the defensive third last season.
Arsenal and Manchester United linked with the 21-year-old, although Upamecano signed a new RB Leipzig deal at the end of July to keep him at the club until 2023.
John Stones
Would John Stones benefit from a move away from Man City?
Despite seven major titles with Man City, it has not always been an easy time for John Stones at the Etihad. His performances have come under scrutiny on many occasions and has been guilty of making errors, both at club and international level.
He spent much of the 2019/20 season in and out of the Man City team and only made one Champions League appearance. Leeds have been linked with the former Everton and Barnlsey defender, while Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson recently urged Chelsea to sign
Stones.
He said: "Chelsea love to play out the back, they roll it out every time, so you need someone unbelievably good on the ball. If you have pace around them, I think it will help Chelsea; I think Stones would be a great buy, and he has to play in a three.
"Stones has the potential to be great, he really has, but he needs the confidence. At the moment Chelsea have three centre-halves that aren't in the same class as Stones on the ball."
Ben White
Ben White played in every Leeds league game last season Brighton have already landed the coup of their transfer window with Their next task could be keeping hold of 22-year-old centre-back Ben
White, who is Leeds' number one transfer target this summer after a successful loan spell at Elland Road last season. He formed an impressive defensive partnership with captain Liam Cooper, featuring in all 46 league games and helping to keep 22 clean sheets as the club won the Championship title.
Leeds have had a third bid for White - worth £25m - rejected by
Brighton and it was recently reported by Sky Sports News the south coast club will not sell the defender to the newly-promoted cliub for any price because they want to avoid strengthening a club they consider to be a direct Premier League rival.
Brighton are in talks to offer the centre-back a new deal, but he has reportedly already turned down three contract offers already. His current deal runs until 2022 with the option of a further 12 months and Graham Potter is keen to integrate him into the first team this season.
Sky Sports assess Ben White and explain why the defender on loan at Leeds from Brighton is set to be a star of the future in English football
Chelsea have also been linked with the 22-year-old, fitting into Frank Lampard's approach of mixing young talent with experience, and Tottenham have also been connected in media reports.
Jose Gimenez
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez has previously expressed his childhood love for Chelsea
Another reported centre-back target for Chelsea, Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez is also being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and would represent the experience Lampard is looking for.
Gimenez is a two-time Champions League runner-up with Atleti and has won the Europa League during the time at the La Liga club. A series of injuries saw him play in just 21 league matches where he won 16 of the 20 tackles he made, blocking seven shots and making 23 interceptions.
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak is also a reported Chelsea target
The 25-year-old is contracted to Atleti until 2023 and it would take some big numbers to land their man, but the defender recently spoke of his love for Chelsea and Lampard as a child, saying in an interview with La Liga: "I would have liked to play with Lampard. I always used to watch Chelsea as a kid, loved them."
Chelsea have also been linked with Gimenez's defensive team-mate, goalkeeper Jan Obalk, who said he would consider his Atletico future after the conclusion of the Champions League.
Diego Carlos
Diego Carlos was instrumental in Sevilla's Europa League victory Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City have been linked with recent Europa Legue winner Diego Carlos, who helped Sevilla to a record-extending sixth victory in the competition. It was his acrobatic overhead kick that ultimately won the final against Inter, demonstrating his ability as a goalscorer and a title winner.
But the monitoring clubs may have been put off slightly by Carlos' uncanny ability to give away penalties, doing so early on in both the Europa League semi-final and final. Yes, Sevilla went on to win both games and Carlos saved his own bacon in the final, but he was hugely helped by a "team of giants" as the Brazilian described his team-mates after the victory.
He only joined Sevilla last summer as Julen Lopetegui set about rebuilding the squad and, penalty conceding aside, had a superb debut season in La Liga. He made 35 appearances, scoring two goals - not a bad return for a central defender - and ranked top in the league for clearances completed (174) and headed clearances (105).
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling rediscovered his form on loan at Roma
Chris Smalling has had something of an Italian renaissance. He flourished during his season-long loan spell at Roma, making 30 Serie A appearances and coming in the top ten for blocked shots (35), interceptions (56) and aerial duels won (95).
Could he be the ready-made replacement Manchester United are looking for? If the names they are being linked with are anything to go by, they will be looking elsewhere for a regular centre-back this summer with Smalling likely to be playing a bit-part or sold elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, Roma are very keen on bringing the defender back in a permanent deal while Sky Sports News recently reported Newcastle are keen on signing Smalling. Everton and Fulham have all been linked by other media outlets.
Thiago Silva
French football journalist Jonathan Johnson says Thiago Silva is looking for a ‘new adventure’ ahead of his expected move to Chelsea
Former PSG captain Thiago Silva looks to be the next incoming at Chelsea with Sky Sports News reporting the club are close to signing the defender on a one-year deal.
The Brazil international has just come off the back of a Champions League final defeat and it was already confirmed before the the Lisbon showpiece Silva would bring an end to his eight-year stay in Paris.
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol recently said: " Anyone who watched the Champions League final, Silva, even though he's 35, he is still an exceptional centre-back. He's got leadership qualities, he's got so much experience, and what Chelsea have really been missing at the back is that kind of experience.
"They've got quite a few young centre-backs, and I don't think Frank Lampard has been totally convinced by any of them. That's why he's wanted someone with experience and Silva is available.
"I don't need to talk him up, everybody knows how good he is. The only question mark I would think about him going forward is can he maintain that level? He's going to be 36 next month but watching him in the Champions League final it looks like a great signing for Chelsea."
Jerome Boateng
Jerome Boateng is rumoured to be leaving Bayern Munich this summer
Another veteran defender, Jerome Boateng was on the other side of the table from Silva and won the recent Champions League final with Bayern Munich, although was taken off inside 25 minutes after picking up an injury.
German outlet Sport Bild recently reported Bayern would consider an offer for the 31-year-old if the right one came in while Boateng himself recently admitted he would consider a return to the Premier League.
Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, as have PSG and Juventus, but for now, his future seems very much up in the air.
Samuel Umtiti
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti struggled with injuries last season
It was a tough season for Samuel Umtiti and with tumultuous times ahead at Barcelona, he is reportedly on Ronald Koeman's list of players who are no longer required.
The World Cup winner had a season punctuated by injuries and a lack of minutes, playing just 13 La Liga games and three times in the Champions League. His positive test for coronavirus just before the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich truly rounded off a horrible year. Arsenal, West Ham and Everton have all been linked with Umtiti, although he would need to prove his ability to stay fit before joining another club. Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the 26-year-old in the past, with a loan deal also a potential option for Barcelona.
However, a report in the Daily Mail at the start of August said Umtiti wants to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona and has no plans to leave. But given his recent injury troubles and a new manager, that decision could be taken out of his hands.
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