Updated: 30 May 2026 15:48 BST |
5 min read
Manchester United have taken a liking to Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton, who has enhanced his reputation after an excellent season.
The Red Devils are exploring whether or not to make a defensive signing this summer amid uncertainty over Matthijs de Ligt. The Netherlands international spent the second half of the season out injured with a mystery back problem.
De Ligt had been training in the final few weeks of the campaign, but the club did not want to take any risks. In fact, it was ultimately decided that surgery would be the best course of action.
The club did not provide any information on the recovery process, but De Ligt is out of the World Cup and may, in the worst-case scenario, also miss the start of the new season.
Consequently, Man Utd are mulling over potential centre-back arrivals, though this is not the most pressing priority in the market for the Old Trafford club at present.
Man Utd eye Anton
Elche defender David Affengruber has been touted as a potential low-cost option, while Man Utd are admirers of Nottingham Forest star Murillo. However, the Brazilian has just put pen to paper on a new contract.
Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, capable of playing at right-back and centre-back, is also believed to be on the club’s radar, but a final decision on his future will only be made once Xabi Alonso has arrived at Stamford Bridge for pre-season.
Another potential option could be Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton. BILD reports that Man Utd and Aston Villa have been left impressed with the Uzbekistan-born Germany international.
Anton, who joined Dortmund in a controversial deal from Stuttgart in the summer of 2024, has become a “secret” and “silent” leader at BVB. Following the departure of Julian Brandt, he is expected to become the club’s third-choice captain after Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund are coming off a somewhat strange season. Statistically, their runners-up finish to Bayern Munich was one of the best campaigns in club history, but it didn’t really feel like it because of Niko Kovac’s football.
The Black and Yellow were often criticised for their defensive, disciplined approach and lack of attacking gusto. They also mostly just turned up for one half per game – but this was enough to comfortably finish second.
Dortmund conceded two fewer goals than champions Bayern, thanks to their defensive solidity. Anton, starting in a back-three alongside Schlotterbeck and various other defenders, was a hugely important part of that stout backline.
He missed just two Bundesliga games in the season just gone due to a thigh problem and played the full 90 in the other 32. Kovac recently hailed the 29-year-old as a “consummate professional.”
Dortmund don’t want to lose the centre-back, but the chance to play in the Premier League will hold appeal to the defender. Anton currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €19.6 million, so he should not be too expensive, even if BVB were to demand a premium.
He would be an instant upgrade on Man Utd’s current options, with data analytics firm SciSports believing that he is a better player than all of the centre-backs currently at Michael Carrick’s disposal.
Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and De Ligt, who is remarkably still only 26, all have higher potential than Anton, but if Man Utd want someone who can seamlessly slot into the side ahead of their return to the Champions League, the German would be a shrewd pick-up.
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