Manchester United are showing strong interest in 20-year-old central defender Finn Eltsch from Stuttgart. The club sees the German talent as a viable option for a long-term replacement for Lisandro Martinez, whose future at Old Trafford appears uncertain.
However, securing Eltsch this January will prove to be quite a challenge. According to reports from TuttoJuve, Stuttgart are not looking to sell the defender in the winter transfer window and prefer to hold on until next summer, hoping to command a much larger fee.
United’s interest is not alone; they are facing competition from several clubs including Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal, all of whom are also monitoring the young player.
It's noted that as recently as spring 2026, Eltsch’s market value was estimated at around €35 million on specialized platforms. The only way to sway Stuttgart's position in January would be with a substantially significant offer.
Having already featured in 54 matches, Eltsch is considered one of the most promising young central defenders in the Bundesliga. Notably, he primarily operates with his right foot but is capable of playing on the left side of defence as well.
This versatility makes him a potential successor to Martinez. The Argentine's contract with United runs until the end of the current season, but the club holds an option to extend it for another year.
Injuries have plagued Martinez significantly over the last two seasons, limiting his appearances to just 19 across all competitions last term.
It has been reported previously that United are not rushing to offer Martinez a new long-term deal just yet. The club wants to see if the 28-year-old can avoid further injuries and maintain a high-performance level throughout the season.
If Martinez cannot stay fit, United may activate the one-year extension option to preserve his transfer value and then look into a sale in the summer. In such a scenario, Eltsch could emerge as one of the leading candidates to strengthen the centre of defence, alongside existing options available to Michael Carrick, including Leni Yoro, Aiden Heaven, and Matthijs de Ligt.
