Manchester United Transfer News: Defender Svetozar Markovic Reportedly Wanted

Manchester United are reportedly interested in Partizan Belgrade's teenage defender Svetozar Markovic who has been described as the "new Sergio Ramos."

The Red Devils' Serbian scout Budimir Vujacic has been in touch with Partizan "to register their interest" in the 18-year-old centre-back, according to Samuel Luckhurst at the Manchester Evening News.

Markovic appears to have made an instant impression on United as he only made his Partizan debut in February in the UEFA Europa League defeat to Viktoria Plzen.

The defender can play at centre-back or at right-back, and he has made an impact on the international scene at youth level as he has captained Serbia's Under-16 and Under-17 teams.

United's interest in Markovic follows a report that Jose Mourinho is planning a summer overhaul of his defence, per Alex Martin at MailOnline. Left-back Luke Shaw is expected to leave with Mourinho keen on Celtic's Kieran Tierney.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is in no doubt Shaw's time at the club is up:

The future of centre-back Chris Smalling is also the subject of speculation with Everton interested in the 28-year-old, per Tom Hopkinson at the Sunday People.

Luckhurst also noted how Smalling and Phil Jones are out of contract at the club next year:

United's first-choice centre-back remains Eric Bailly, but the club do seem to be targeting a top-quality partner for the Ivorian. Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has been linked with United and Barcelona with Paris Saint-Germain also interested, per Matt Law at the Telegraph.

The Red Devils could also do with strengthening at right-back, and a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Antonio Valencia is needed.

While Markovic is still very young and unproven at the top level, he may be being considered by United due to his versatility. The teenager could learn from players such as Valencia and Bailly before potentially making the step up to the first team should he make the grade at Old Trafford.