Nemanja Vidic’s departure at the end of the season will certainly leave behind a void that will be difficult to fill at Manchester United. However, according to recent reports from Italian website Tutto Mercato, the Red Devils are already looking for a replacement for the Serbian defender in PSG’s Brazilian centre back, Alex.

Alex’s contract with the French team ends this Summer and until now there haven’t been any real offers for him to extend his spell at the Parisian club. The media are claiming that AC Milan are also quite aware of the player’s current situation and they might rival Manchester United for the signing of the experienced Brazilian defender.

Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, better known as Alex, arrived at PSG in 2012 from Chelsea and he managed to cement his place at the French side, despite all the quality contenders for his specific role. He managed to keep Sahko out of the team for quite sometime last term and this season he keeps pushing his successful partnership with compatriot Thiago Silva. Alex took part in twenty-eight matches so far this term, during which he managed to score three goals.

The Brazilian international, who is known for his impressive physical strength, was affectionately dubbed “The Tank” by his team-mates. Alex has good heading skills and although his acceleration attributes are far from being brilliant, he manages to compensate that with efficient positioning in the pitch.

Alex is currently 31 years old and he has been in European football since 2004, when he joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Santos. He didn’t cause an instant impact at the Blues and he went on a three year loan to PSV, which helped him to develop as a footballer and to establish relationships within European football.

It is hard to say if Alex would be the right man to replace Nemanja Vidic in United’s defence line. He is an experienced and decent footballer, though he is far from having Vidic’s marking and leadership skills. United need someone to boss their defence line and probably the Brazilian defender is not the right man to carry such a heavy weight on his shoulders.