According to rumors, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants the team to compete with Liverpool for the acquisition of Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
This summer, the Red Devils are still hunting for a new midfielder, with speculations linking Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat to a move to Old Trafford.
According to a report published yesterday, Amrabat’s agents have “travelled to Manchester ahead of a proposed move,” and that “a bid is expected to be lodged immediately, with the asking price set at around £30 million.”
Amrabat was one of the star performances during the winter World Cup in Qatar, helping Morocco reach the semi-finals.
But, according to Spanish tabloid Sport, Ten Hag has ‘requested’ Manchester United to sign Tchouameni this summer, with Bayern Munich no longer the only team ‘paying serious interest’ to the France international.
Man United is considering making an offer’very similar’ to the one accepted by Monaco by Real Madrid last summer.
Los Blancos spent €80 million plus another €20 million in add-ons, bringing the total price to €100 million (£86 million), and’market conditions’ may force Carlo Ancelotti’s team to sell Tchouameni this summer.
This is because Real Madrid may require funds to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain looking to offload the Frenchman.
According to rumors, Mbappe might leave Paris Saint-Germain for a year before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, while others suggest Florentino Perez could make a play for the World Cup winner within the next month.
Liverpool are also apparently interested in Tchouameni, with a report earlier this week claiming that the previously ‘difficult’ deal for the midfielder has now become ‘possible’ due to Real Madrid’s interest in Mbappe.
Rio Ferdinand was delighted by Manchester United’s progress under Ten Hag last season, and he believes the best way to demonstrate that progress this season is to draw closer to rivals Manchester City.
“You have to look at the gap to Manchester City,” Ferdinand told The Athletic. They may demonstrate progress by closing the gap not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of consistency and playing style. Is there a description of who we are and how we play?
“For a long time, we’ve been a long way from that.” The course of Erik’s actions is clear, but there is still a long way to go.”