Man Utd scouts 'closely monitoring' Belgian international to boost defence in January

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Sporting defender Zeno Debast, with scouts set to closely monitor the Belgian international in the coming weeks.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising centre-backs, and United view him as a potential long-term solution at the heart of their defence.

Debast only joined Sporting from Anderlecht last summer, but he has already made a strong impression in Portugal, combining composure on the ball with physical presence.

His assured distribution and ability to step into midfield make him an ideal fit for the modern Premier League defender.

With over 20 senior caps for Belgium and experience at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, he is quickly establishing himself as a reliable international option as well.

A key subplot in United’s interest lies with manager Rúben Amorim. The Portuguese coach worked with Debast at Sporting and is understood to be a major admirer of his temperament and leadership qualities.

Sources suggest Amorim would welcome a reunion at Old Trafford, though the final decision will rest on finances and the player’s willingness to make the leap to England.

Sporting inserted a release clause of around €80 million in Debast’s contract, setting a high bar for any negotiations.

While United are unlikely to meet that figure outright in January, the clause provides Sporting with strong leverage should interest intensify. Still, United may explore structured deals or performance-related add-ons to reduce the immediate outlay.

The timing of a potential transfer remains under discussion. United are considering a January approach, particularly if defensive frailties persist through the first half of the season.

However, waiting until the summer could allow for smoother negotiations and a clearer assessment of squad needs.

For now, Debast remains firmly on United’s radar. With Amorim keen to reshape the squad in his image, the Belgian could soon find himself at the centre of United’s next rebuilding phase.