Manchester City have opened talks with Real Madrid over a potential deal for midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, according to reports in Spain. The Premier League champions have already secured a club-record £116 million agreement with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, but remain in the market for another central midfielder under new head coach Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola this week.
Interest from Manchester United and Chelsea
Last week, Spanish reports indicated that both Manchester United and Chelsea had contacted Real Madrid to discuss a move for the 23-year-old France international. However, according to Marca, City have now been offered the chance to sign Camavinga and the two clubs are in active negotiations. The report adds that Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho, who returned to the club for a second stint last month, has approved the sale of Camavinga as part of a squad rebuild.
Transfer Fee and Contract Situation
Real Madrid are reportedly demanding €60 million (£51.4 million) for Camavinga, whom they signed from Rennes for €40 million (£34.4 million) five years ago. The Spanish club are open to selling one midfielder this summer to finance Mourinho's squad overhaul. Manchester United have also been linked with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, and it is understood Madrid are willing to sell the France international as well.
Camavinga has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and started only 16 La Liga games last term, leading to his omission from France's World Cup squad this summer.
Player's Stance
Despite the transfer speculation, Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported that Camavinga has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer. Broadcaster Anton Meana said in April: 'There are players with valid contracts who aren't going to leave the team. Camavinga's entourage, his direct, professional entourage, those who handle his affairs, tell you it's the same old noise. They tell us that Eduardo neither wants to leave nor will he, that he has a contract and that he's going to stay, that in August, when the league starts, Camavinga will still be in Madrid.'
Meana added that this situation applies to 90 per cent of the squad, making it a difficult time to change the team significantly.
