Manchester United’s pursuit of Real Madrid superstar Aurélien Tchouaméni could be dealt a crushing blow following the latest update from their noisy neighbours in the blue half of the city.
Dream Target
With £85 million already spent to sign Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively, the Red Devils are still intent on recruiting a third midfielder this summer.
The loss of Casemiro has been exacerbated by Manuel Ugarte sustaining a potentially season-ending knee injury for Uruguay at the World Cup, leaving Kobbie Mainoo as the only available member of last season’s unit.
This leaves the engine room without a physical defensive midfielder to function as the team’s anchor, even if many in Brazil believe Santos is the long-term successor to Casemiro for the Seleção. The 22-year-old Rio de Janeiro native is a versatile operator, however, who can be deployed deeper or in a box-to-box role.
As such, United remain focused on signing a No. 6 to complete their midfield rebuild – with Tchouaméni, 26, considered the “dream signing” by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
The Real Madrid star is widely considered one of the best enforcers in Europe, offering a blend of physical and technical attributes which few possess. Both the player and his club are understood to be happy with their working relationship.
However, Los Blancos are conducting their own midfield revamp this summer. There is a drive to add more control, guile and variety, with a sense that Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde are too similar.
Bernardo Silva has already been signed on a free transfer, having left Manchester City in June after nine years at the Etihad. But Real want his partner in crime, Rodri, as their next addition – and they are prepared to sacrifice Tchouaméni to fund the pursuit.
Man City ruin another plan
While Tchouaméni is happy at the Santiago Bernabéu, and there was an update that he had agreed a contract extension with Real Madrid, he is understood to be open to joining Manchester United if forced to leave.
This had given the Red Devils hope of pulling off a bombshell deal for the France international, particularly as the new deal has not been confirmed yet. If Real Madrid want to sign Rodri, a midfielder has to make way. And while the Spanish giants may prefer that to be Camavinga, the market is not as fruitful for the 23-year-old.
Following Spain’s World Cup triumph, where Rodri was crowned Player of the Tournament, the interest from Real had ramped up – which, in turn, increases United’s chances of landing Tchouaméni.
However, INEOS face the prospect of missing out on another top target this summer after it was confirmed Rodri would be undergoing surgery for a back injury. While it is not a long-term issue, it may potentially see him miss the start of the season.
But it almost certainly kills any chance of Real still making a play, as spending big on a 30-year-old midfielder who has just undergone surgery on his back is a risk few clubs would be willing to take.
Final Thoughts
Manchester City have already dealt one setback to Manchester United this summer after winning the race for Nottingham Forest talisman Elliot Anderson. If the decision to put Rodri under the knife then rules out a pursuit of Tchouaméni, there will be a string of loud expletives heard down the corridors of power at Old Trafford.
Featured image Denis Doyle via Getty Images
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