Manchester United have reportedly taken the lead in the race to sign Jerome Boateng ahead of Real Madrid this summer, according to The Daily Mirror.

The Red Devils are set to beat Los Blancos to the signing of Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng.

The report goes on to claim that United boss Jose Mourinho looks to improve his current options at the back and has an advantage in negotiations with the 29-year-old German international.

The 20-time English champions finished in second place in the Premier League table last season to reach their best spot since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

Manchester United have also been linked with a potential swoop for Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireield and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.