Manchester United are closely monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as a potential replacement for Casemiro.
Brazilian Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford this summer after three years at the club, and it is understood that the Red Devils are open to spending big on a defensive midfielder to replace him.
Tchouameni, 26, is on United’s shortlist of targets, but is likely to command a sizeable fee if he is to move. Any departure could also hinge on Madrid signing a midfielder of their own.
The Spaniards are in the market for a central midfielder, with Manchester City’s Rodri and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez emerging as options. Both players have raised eyebrows by publicly flirting with Madrid in recent weeks.
Rodri, 29, is from the city, having played for Atletico between 2018 and 2019, while he also spent time in the club’s academy. His current deal at City runs until the end of next season, but comments over the most recent international break alerted officials at Madrid.
‘I’d like to return (to Spain), obviously,’ he said in March. ‘For me, LaLiga is where I started. I still follow it, it’s true not as much as before, but I still follow it.
Manchester United are monitoring Aurelien Tchouameni (centre) as a potential summer signing
United need to replace Casemiro (right), who is leaving the club at the end of the season
‘And I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think it’s a thrilling league but at the same time very demanding, meaning it pushes you to the limit. I’ve been there for seven years now, and I’m noticing the passage of time, but for the moment I’m very happy there.’
Fernandez, meanwhile, received a club-imposed ban after he used the international break to reveal how much he would love to live in Madrid while hailing Real legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
This followed him previously admitting he does not know if he will still be with Chelsea beyond this summer and criticising the club for splitting with his former manager, Enzo Maresca.
The Telegraph suggest that Madrid could be open to selling Tchouameni, who is expected to play a key role for France at the World Cup this summer, as well as fellow Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga.
United could also be set to sign more than one midfielder this summer. Premier League trio Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton have also been monitored.
Manuel Ugarte could also depart the club in the window, but Kobbie Mainoo seems set to stay put after previously asking to leave on loan under former manager Ruben Amorim.
