Manchester United have identified Ajax's Jurrien Timber and Villareal's Pau Torres as their main targets at centre-back, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What is the latest news involving Jurrien Timber and Pau Torres?

While Erik ten Hag continues to pursue a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, attempts are also being made to strengthen their back-line ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

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Reports in recent days have suggested that United maintain their long-standing interest in Torres, and that Champions League football isn't considered to be the be-all and end-all when it comes to the Spain international's decision on where to go.

The Manchester side have also got their eye on one of Ten Hag's former charges at Ajax, Timber, with the 21-year-old having been given his Eredivisie debut back in March 2020 by the now United boss.

What did Romano say about Timber and Torres?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano revealed that the duo are the Red Devils' main targets when it comes to reinforcing the centre of their defence for next season, but hinted that they could opt for a surprise.

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He said: "At the moment they're the two top targets, they have always been the two top targets at centre-back. But, I won't be surprised if Man Utd will try something different in the coming days."

Ten Hag could transform Man Utd's defence

Valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, Timber came on leaps and bounds under Ten Hag's management at Ajax, so much so that he has now earned eight senior caps for the Netherlands - no mean feat given the young defender has to compete with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt for a starting spot.

Considering his couple of years of experience working under the new manager, Timber should be able to settle into life at Old Trafford much quicker, and become a cornerstone of the United back-line, helping to implement a new philosophy.

While at 21, the Dutchman would arrive as someone with plenty of promise and potential, a move for Villareal's Torres would perhaps offer a greater degree of certainty on what he might be able to produce on the pitch.

The £45m-rated defender has of course had a few years playing in both the Europa League and Champions League, and United fans will know all about his Villareal side given that they beat the Red Devils in the UEL final back in the 2020/2021 campaign.

Having conceded 57 goals last season in the Premier League - the second-worst record of any side in the top ten and only better than eighth-placed Leicester - it's no surprise Ten Hag is seeking quality additions to strengthen the centre of his defence.

In both Timber and Torres, United are looking at two players who are still relatively young, but boast considerable experience playing in European competition, and that should bode well for the kind of pressure and expectation that comes with playing for the Red Devils.