Manchester United have zeroed in on Borussia Dortmund center-back Waldemar Anton as their top defensive target this summer, and they’re willing to pay up to get him. According to reports from FussballDaten, the Red Devils are the favorites to land the 29-year-old and are ready to structure a deal worth around €40 million with favorable payment terms to make it happen.
Dortmund isn’t exactly eager to let Anton walk. He signed a contract through 2028 when he joined from Stuttgart last summer, so the German club holds all the leverage here. But United’s need for defensive depth is real, and they’re betting Anton can step in and play immediately. At 29, he’s in his prime and has been a steady presence in the Bundesliga for years.
Aston Villa also want him. Unai Emery’s side has turned into a legitimate Champions League contender, and they can offer Anton European football next season too. That gives him options. Both clubs have the money to meet Dortmund’s asking price. The question is which destination sells Anton on a new challenge.
Why United wants Anton now
United’s back line has been a patchwork project for a few windows now. Injuries, inconsistent form, and aging legs have forced the club to cycle through combinations without ever finding a reliable long-term pair. Anton isn’t necessarily the flashy superstar name fans might dream on, but he’s the kind of experienced, positionally sound defender who could stabilize things right away. He’s played at a high level in Germany for years and has Champions League experience.
The club sees him as someone who can slot in alongside whoever survives the summer reshuffle and bring some calm to a defense that’s too often been chaotic. The reports say United views him as a priority target, not just a name on a list. That’s notable for a team that’s been linked with half a dozen defenders already this window.
What Anton might decide
Anton hasn’t publicly pushed for a move, and Dortmund isn’t shopping him. But the prospect of playing in the Premier League tends to grab a player’s attention. United is still one of the biggest brands in world soccer, and on paper, Old Trafford probably looks like the flashier option. Villa, though, has been on a steady upward trajectory under Emery and could argue they’re closer to consistent Champions League contention right now.
It’s one of those transfer sagas that could drag a bit. Dortmund doesn’t need to sell. United and Villa both have to convince Anton it’s worth leaving a comfortable situation. He’s got time on his contract, and the club isn’t sweating the clock. So this one might come down to whether Anton decides he wants a new league and a new kind of pressure.
For now, United is making the push. They’ve identified their guy. The next move is up to Anton.
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