Manchester United have been urged to move quickly with their next summer signing after missing out on Mateus Fernandes. Club icon Rio Ferdinand has urged his former club not to bide their time following their failed attempts to sign their top two targets, Fernandes and Elliot Anderson.
Midfield Priority Misses
Michael Carrick identified the central midfield area as the most urgent position to strengthen, with strong pursuits of both Anderson and Fernandes ending on a disappointing note. Anderson has joined Man City in a £116 million deal, while Tottenham are poised to complete a blockbuster £85m transfer to sign Fernandes, 21, from West Ham after trumping United's offer.
Both deals appeared to be beyond United's budget, which is reflected by their decision to sign Brazil international Ederson for £35m from Atalanta as a long-term replacement for Casemiro. But their interest in Anderson and Fernandes suggests they are far from being done in terms of strengthening their midfield.
Ferdinand's Advice
MEN Sport reported last month that United would love to sign Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni this summer. The France international, 26, has shone at the World Cup but may find his days numbered when he returns to the LaLiga giants for pre-season as they chase Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.
Ferdinand believes the club are financially-equipped to move for the 26-year-old and are waiting for the right time to pounce. However, he advised United not to wait too long to make their approach if Madrid indicate they are willing to sell.
Speaking in a video uploaded to his @RioMeets account on X.com, Ferdinand said: “I think Man United are holding the money back for one man, and that’s Tchouameni. If he becomes available in this market, Man United are not gonna miss - they can’t afford to miss with that one.”
Tchouameni's Profile
Tchouameni is rated as one of the most consistent all-round midfielders in the world and would be considered a marquee signing. Madrid could be looking to cash in, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the Spanish giants 'need exits' from their bloated squad this summer.
It's not the first time Ferdinand has encouraged United's recruitment team to launch a move for the France star. Speaking on Rio Presents, the ex-England defender said in June: "If Tchouameni has half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man United have to be the first team at their door knocking and make sure he can't even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered."
Financial Hurdles
The Frenchman's reported £200,000-a-week salary demands and the fee likely to be requested by Madrid means it is far from an easy deal to push through. United may be reluctant to bid too high at the risk of overpaying for Tchouameni, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in a £70m transfer, plus £15m in add-ons, in 2022.
Some compromise may need to be found on his weekly wage too, as Romano added his salary demands are 'considered to be too high' as it stands. That wasn't expected to be an issue if they signed Fernandes, who at 21 is at a different stage in his career to Tchouameni as he enters the peak years of his career.
Alternative Targets
Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 22, has emerged as a possible alternative if United are priced out of a move for Tchouameni. The highly-rated midfielder joined up with England's World Cup training camp in Florida in June and is expected to seal a big-money move this summer.
