Man Utd’s first summer signing looks obvious after bombshell statement | Football | Sport

Manchester United’s first summer signing looks increasingly obvious. Thanks to the ongoing drama at Real Madrid, it seems United have a very real chance at buying one of their main midfield targets – Aurelien Tchouameni. The Frenchman’s clashes with Federico Valverde cast serious doubt on his future at the Bernabeu. And it could also present United with the chance to pounce and secure a deal at a lower price than they might have expected.

United are looking to fill the void left by Casemiro. The Brazilian, 34, has had an excellent season but is ageing and on huge wages. By contrast, Tchouameni only turned 26 in January and could be the Red Devils’ No.1 defensive midfielder for at least the next five seasons if not longer. With Elliott Anderson seemingly off to Manchester City, United need to pivot towards Tchouameni. They already have, with some reports claiming an approach has now been made.

The France international is a player who, without recent controversies, Real Madrid would love to keep into his 30s. He is just shy of 200 appearances for the 14-time European champions in only four seasons at the club since agreed a deal worth up to £85million to sign him from Monaco in 2022.

But if the pick is between Valverde and Tchouameni, Los Blancos would surely rather keep the Uruguayan. For starters, Tchouameni is out of contract in 2028 and about to enter the final two years of his agreement. He is going to need a new deal, which would likely include a pay rise, to stay in the Spanish capital.

Recent incidents suggest the idea of him and Valverde both playing alongside each other next season is unlikely, regardless of the Real Madrid PR machine playing down the severity of their bust-ups.

At United, Tchouameni would be a dream partner for Kobbie Mainoo behind Bruno Fernandes. He has the legs and energy to offer what Casemiro doesn’t, while still replacing what the veteran does bring to the United midfield. Excellent on the ball and in the air, plus a monster in the duels, Tchouameni has the physicality to thrive in the Premier League.

And perhaps the Red Devils can capitalise on the current predicament at Real Madrid by snatching the midfielder below his £70m mooted price. INEOS should certainly try some haggling.

But even a £70m price would be reasonable in this market. Anderson, for example, is expected to fetch at least £30m more than that. Anderson has never played in the Champions League, let alone won it. They are not the same profile of player and the Englishman is supremely talented, but he is not £30m better than Tchouameni, if better at all.

The issue for United is that they must now do their homework on the problems at Real Madrid. Is Tchouameni the root cause? If so, does that mean he’s the kind of negative influence they need to avoid? Or is it a symptom of the wider malaise at the struggling La Liga giants?

If United determine Tchouameni would not disturb their dressing room then he feels like a must-buy. On the pitch, he seems an ideal fit for the younger, faster, hungrier team they want to build.

If he is the first piece of the puzzle this summer, and United can carry on from last summer by making signings to perfectly slot into their areas of need, maybe they truly can challenge for major honours again in the coming campaigns.