Manchester United have long been in the market for a new central defender

AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli is a target, according to reports in Italy

The 24-year-old defender is also wanted by Chelsea and Juventus

Chelsea will appeal the two-window transfer ban handed to them by FIFA

Manchester United could be set to join the race for AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli - but they will have a fight on their hands with Juventus also keen and Gennaro Gattuso desperate to keep him.

Chelsea, who will appeal their two-window FIFA transfer ban, also want the 24-year-old central defender, according to reports in Italy.

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Milan sit fourth in Serie A and Romagnoli has been key to their push for Champions League football.

He was made captain last summer, signing a contract until 2022, when Leonardo Bonucci joined Juventus and Italian outlet Calciomercato report that United are considering a bid of around €75m (£65m) to take him to Old Trafford.

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Romagnoli is reported to have rejected moves away from Milan in the past, having joined from Roma in 2015, and manager Gattuso is determined keep it that way.

He said: 'I won’t put a price tag on him because otherwise someone will come along and offer that amount of money. He’s not actually a good player, this way no one will bid for him.'

Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso is desperate to hold on to the 24-year-old centre half

United have long been in the market for a new centre half with Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones the current crop at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's disposal.

Former United manager Jose Mourinho wanted Leicester and England defender Harry Maguire last year while Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is also on the radar.