- Manchester United want Aurelien Tchouameni
- Casemiro replacement is this summer’s top target
- Real Madrid midfielder involved in training bust-up
Manchester United’s plans to sign a marquee defensive midfielder this summer to replace the outgoing Casemiro are no secret. Aurelien Tchouameni features on the Red Devils’ shortlist, and a recent bust-up with Real Madrid team-mate Federico Valverde adds a new dimension to the links.
Reports in Spain on Wednesday claimed that the midfield pair were involved in a training ground scuffle to add to the current sense of crisis around Real. A day later, on Thursday, noise emerged that another fight had occurred, but this time getting physical, with Valverde going to hospital (Marca).
It’s claimed that some of the Uruguayan’s tackles on Tcouameni during the training session risked a serious injury and absence from this summer’s World Cup (Lucas Navarrete). Real have since ruled Valverde out of Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, revealing he suffered a traumatic brain injury during the altercation.
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Man Utd move for Tchouameni
A club statement read:
“After the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as per medical protocols for this diagnosis.”
Real have started disciplinary proceedings against both players, and the aftermath of this violent rift could open the door for United to lure Tchouameni to Old Trafford.
According to Ben Jacobs, United have made a formative approach to the 26-year-old Frenchman’s representatives ahead of the summer.
Whether Tchouameni is interested in swapping Madrid for Manchester, or whether his controversial fight with Valverde has any impact on his future, remains to be seen.
Casemiro replacement prioritised
It promises to be a big summer at Old Trafford, including a midfield rebuild similar to last year’s attacking revamp that set United back over £200million. United are understandably prioritising a defensive midfielder to fill the sizable void that Casemiro will leave when he departs as a free agent.
Tchouameni is an attractive option, given that he ticks important boxes in terms of his age, profile, status at a fellow European giant in Real, and Champions League experience. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali are among the alternative names linked.
With Champions League qualification already sealed with three games to spare this season, United must establish their chosen signing as soon as possible.
The M16 heavyweights can ill afford a repeat of 2022’s summer-long chase of another highly-rated La Liga midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, only to face rejection.
