Miranda
Reuters Reuters

Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Atletico Madrid centre-back Joao Miranda for a fee of around £24m, reports in Spain claim.

The 29-year-old defender has forged an amazing partnership with Diego Godin at Atletico this season, becoming a crucial part in the Spanish giants' La Liga title success as well as their progress to the Champions League final.

A number of big European clubs have been impressed with Diego Simeone's side's campaign, and are trying to take advantage of their difficult financial situation to sign some of their star players.

While Marca claimed on Wednesday that Tiago will join Chelsea, AS reports that his teammate Miranda is going to move to Old Trafford.

According to AS, Miranda has already agreed principal terms with Old Trafford officials and the Premier League giants are set to pay a fee close to his £24m release clause to complete the deal.

Even though Atletico are unlikely to negotiate a deal, the report claims that the La Liga champions will not be able to block his exit should United trigger his buy-out clause.

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AS claims that Miranda has already begun searching for schools for his children in Manchester while Atletico Madrid are monitoring Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala as a replacement.

United scouts have been seen a number of times at the Vicente Calderon this season tracking the Brazilian, and Van Gaal is keen on giving him the leadership of the new United back-line following the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

Nevertheless, other reports in Spain claim that Barcelona are also interested in Miranda's services and that the Brazilian's agent has recently been discussing his future with Catalan officials.

However, United look to be leading the race as the Catalans are unwilling to pay his release clause.