- Aurelien Tchouaméni added to shortlist
- Midfield is a key area to bolster
- Casemiro replacement the main headache
Manchester United have reportedly added Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouaméni to their shortlist for the summer, as they look to bolster their midfield.
According to a report in The Telegraph, the Frenchman has become the latest player to be linked with Michael Carrick’s side. They are keen to bolster the squad at the end of the season and are on the lookout for the best players.
The 26-year-old has been a regular for Los Blancos since joining from AS Monaco in 2022, and the Red Devils are hoping to lure him to Old Trafford. He has played 50 times for the Spanish giants this season across all competitions, playing in different positions.
With Casemiro leaving in the summer, Manchester United see the Frenchman as the ideal midfielder who can come in and slot into the starting XI. He has been playing in the pivot and as an #8, while also chipping in at center-back when needed.
The Old Trafford side are hopeful that the Frenchman will be available in the summer, as Real Madrid are looking to reshape their squad. Reports suggest they are plotting moves for Manchester City’s Rodri and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Moreover, the 26-year-old will enter the final two years of his contract at Santiago Bernabéu, and no reports of a contract extension have emerged. He is seen as one of the players who can be sold in the summer to raise funds, along with Eduardo Camavinga.
Tchouaméni rejected Liverpool in 2022
Liverpool were one of the front-runners for Tchouaméni in 2022 before Real Madrid swooped in for the AS Monaco star. Los Blancos signed the midfielder for a reported £68 million with another £17 million in add-ons.
Speaking soon after the move, the Frenchman said he had no plans to talk to any other side after the Spanish giants entered the race. He revealed that Paris Saint-Germain were also in the mix and said:
“As soon as Real Madrid arrived on the scene, I did not hesitate. I want to leave a mark on football and the best club for this is Real Madrid. It’s the best decision for me. Kylian decided to stay at PSG and he already knew that I was going to leave Monaco and wanted to know if I could go to PSG, but I told him I wanted Madrid and he understood perfectly.”
Manchester City were also linked with the Frenchman, while Chelsea rejected the chance to sign him for £50 million a season before that, despite a recommendation from Cesc Fabregas.
Who else are Manchester United targeting?
Aurelien Tchouaméni is not the only player on Manchester United’s shortlist for the summer. The Telegraph have reported that Elliot Anderson is also a key target, but Manchester City are the current favorites to land the Nottingham Forest star.
Newcastle United duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães are also in the mix, while Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has been scouted. Chelsea star Andrey Santos has also been linked by other publications.
Apart from Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, and thus, the Red Devils could end up signing two midfielders.
