- Manchester United
- Centre-back was called a ‘leader’
- Juventus on the verge of offering him a new contract
Manchester United have expanded their scouting network as they search for new centre-backs ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, this time locking in on Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
Juventus and Kalulu face AC Milan tonight—where the French defender spent five years of his career—with United scouts set to watch closely from afar.
United already boast an extremely strong group of centre-backs, consisting of Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, and Leny Yoro.
The United hierarchy view this position as ‘well-stocked’, but still want to add further depth ahead of next season’s Champions League—provided Manchester United qualify.
United Scouting Kalulu
According to Italian newspaper Tuttomercatoweb, Kalulu’s strong performances this season have attracted attention across Europe, with Manchester United now preparing to send scouts to watch the 25-year-old centre-back against his former club on Sunday evening.
The Frenchman arrived for a relatively modest fee. After Juventus paid approximately £2.9 million for a season-long loan, they committed just an additional £12.2m to secure him on a permanent deal.
His time with the Bianconeri has been marked by consistency. This season alone, he has featured in 32 of Juventus’s 33 Serie A matches, missing just 132 minutes of league football.
Kalulu could have played every minute. Against Inter Milan on Valentine’s Day, however, the defender showed little affection for the league leaders, receiving two bookings inside 42 minutes and earning a red card.
He then missed the following match against Como due to suspension. Had that dismissal not occurred, it is highly likely Kalulu would have completed every league minute for the Old Lady this season, having otherwise remained ever-present.
Journalist Paolo Aghemo, who has followed the Frenchman’s development closely, highlighted his growing authority during his loan spell.
Aghemo said, “Thiago Motta [former Juventus manager] will have to manage the space for alternatives and in particular, there in the middle of the defence Pierre Kalulu is emerging as a true leader, who is a player that Cristiano Giuntoli has focused on, together with the coach in the summer market.
“So Kalulu is increasingly a fixed point for this Juventus. He was stratospheric in some recoveries right in Leipzig to maintain the advantage gained by Juventus.”
Juventus are now looking to offer their star defender a new contract, amid growing interest from European sides.
Much to Like About Kalulu
While centre-back remains one of the strongest areas in Manchester United’s squad, a potential return to the Champions League next season would still demand added depth.
You have the five current centre-backs already mentioned, but Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui have also filled in centrally at times this season—as seen under Ruben Amorim—while United possess a strong pipeline of academy talent ready to step up, including Daniel Armer and Godwill Kukonki.
Despite that, the United hierarchy want a player capable of stepping in immediately and delivering, rather than another prospect still adapting to the demands of top-level football.
Kalulu could fit that profile. Across two seasons at Juventus, the centre-back has not merely handled the pressure—he has embraced it, emerging as one of the most reliable defenders in the league this season.
Tonight represents a significant test. Beat AC Milan and Juventus move five points clear of fifth-placed Roma, while also leapfrogging Milan on goal difference with just four games remaining.
While a title charge is beyond them, they may yet do enough to secure Champions League qualification.
And as Kalulu leads from the back in black and white, United’s scouts will watch intently, assessing every movement, every duel, and every decision.
