Manchester United wanted to sign Jamaal Lascelles in the January transfer window, before sacking their manager.
United were set to bid for the Newcastle man under Jose Mourinho, per ESPN FC.
However, plans changed after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over in December.
While United want to sign a centre-back, they were then willing to wait until the summer to get one of their preferred targets.
The likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Toby Alderweireld are names at the head of their shortlist.
Lascelles has impressed at Newcastle, with the 25-year-old serving as club captain and a mainstay in their defence.