Manchester United may have already agreed a deal for one central midfielder, but they are still scouring the summer transfer market for another.
Ederson will arrive at Old Trafford this summer, after the conclusion of the World Cup, in a £38million deal from Serie A side Atalanta. But Michael Carrick wants to bring in another and could even look to add a third if Manuel Ugarte leaves.
United had been keen to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but have been put off by the £120million-plus asking price and the fact that they did not want to enter into a bidding war with Manchester City.
Mateus Fernandes looks like the main target for Manchester United
via Reuters
Mateus Fernandes looks to be the one most likely in recent days, with the West Ham man on a number of people’s lips following the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.
But there have been plenty of other names linked with a move to Old Trafford and there are new links now with one of them – Aurelien Tchouameni.
United have been in contact with the Real Madrid star’s representatives for much of the summer to assess his transfer situation. Real were understood to be keen on offering the Frenchman a new contract to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, but that has not materialised. His current deal in the Spanish capital expires in 2028, meaning this summer would be the optimum time to sell to get the biggest price for him, should they wish to let him go.
And United have been given hope of completing a deal after news emerged that he has been given no assurances over his long-term future at Real Madrid this summer.
Real Madrid changes could see Tchouameni depart
Jose Mourinho has arrived at the Bernabeu for his second stint in charge of Los Blancos and is making changes to the squad he has inherited from Alvaro Arbeloa. He has already signed Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella at the back, with Bernardo Silva arriving on a free transfer from Man City. There is also talk of the club making a big-money move to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea too.
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A deal to sign Fernandez could see Tchouameni’s days numbered, with Teamtalk reporting that United believe they can get a deal over the line to sign the 26-year-old this summer.
Tchouameni, who has been described as the “best DM in the world” made headlines towards the end of the season when he was involved in a training ground bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.
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