Manchester United have been urged to sign a Real Madrid star this summer as tensions continue to simmer at the Spanish club. Recent reports have highlighted several incidents, including a training ground altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger slapping Alvaro Carreras, and Kylian Mbappe arguing with a member of manager Alvaro Arbeloa's backroom staff.
Real Madrid's off-field issues were compounded last Sunday when they watched their eternal rivals crowned LaLiga champions following a 2-0 victory in El Clasico. Amid these problems, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has called on the club to 'pounce' for one of Real's key players, describing it as an 'unbelievable signing'.
The player in question is Aurelien Tchouameni. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: 'Tchouameni, allegedly, has had a bit of a fight with Valverde in training. That wouldn't worry me one bit him coming to Manchester United. I want a bit of fight, I want a bit of aggression. He's not somebody who has been places and then they go: "Oh guys, he's trouble." I've met him, he's a lovely guy. He's quite softly spoken but if you put him into a 90-minute match where it means something, then the guy can play. He can do both sides of the game: he can play but can also rattle a few and get around people - he's versatile. I really like Tchouameni, if we can get him, it would be an unbelievable signing. If we can pounce in a moment where there's a bit of destabilisation at the club and his position is a bit of a concern for them, then I think we've got to strike.'
As detailed in the latest Manchester United Confidential column, Daily Mail Sport reported that Tchouameni remains one of their transfer targets this summer as they look to rebuild their midfield. The 26-year-old is among their £80 million bracket of midfielders, which also includes AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali.
Following the altercation between Tchouameni and Valverde on May 7, which saw the latter hospitalised, both players were fined €500,000 (approximately £430,000). Spanish outlets revealed that a clash that began the previous day escalated into a physical confrontation. Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni's hand, despite doing so with the rest of the group. During a training session, the team captain launched into increasingly forceful challenges against his rival. Later, when drawn into the same team for a contest, Valverde implied that Tchouameni was fortunate not to be facing him, before things turned physical. Valverde insulted the Frenchman before being struck. As they scuffled, Valverde hit a table, sustaining a cut that bled and caused him to briefly lose consciousness, sparking concern from teammates, including Tchouameni. On May 7, Valverde insisted on social media that neither he nor Tchouameni had thrown a punch. Due to his injuries, he missed the El Clasico defeat, while Tchouameni played the full match.
