Rijo Sam Daniel
Transfer News: Manchester United in talks with AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni amidst Barcelona interest
According to French outlet RMC Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United have initiated talks with AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni amidst interest from Barcelona. He is one of the highly sought-after talents in French football and has made a name for himself in no time.
Man United have “opened talks” with Tchouameni to discuss the possibility of a future transfer as they are expected to prioritise signing a defensive midfielder. Barca are also keeping tabs on the situation and would pose a considerable threat ahead of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus are also in the mix, dealing further blows to the Red Devils’ chances of signing the Frenchman. However, Declan Rice of West Ham United is still the primary signing for them as they try to solidify their rather bland defensive midfield.
The Manchester club has prepared a long list of targets for the holding midfield role, which indicates the board’s intent of finding a suitable target. RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, Boubacar Kamara from Marseille and Wolves’ Ruben Neves are the other options in the shortlist.
Preparations for summer?
It remains to be seen if we can sign any of the high profile names on the list this late in January since they are an integral part of their respective teams. As such, the 22-year-old also falls into that category and Monaco would naturally want to have a strong team for the second half of the season as they mount a push for European places.
Even if Rice is the main target, it is good to know that the club is making sure that they have all the angles covered. For that reason, keeping in touch with the French starlet is a wise decision and we must work diligently to ensure that we don’t compromise in quality when it comes to signing a defensive midfielder.
Even if the Catalans are in a tough spot, they are currently going through a rebuilding phase, so we cannot take them lightly at all. The Barcelona badge still holds a lot of clout in European football, after all. Similarly, we would be aware that there is interest in the Frenchman from other European giants.
For that reason, the club should move decisively and quickly. Waiting for too long could mean that someone swoops in for him and we are left empty-handed. While we may have a shortlist prepared, there is still work to be done so that at least one name from it dons our jersey in the near future.
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We have to look at life past Nemanja Matic, whereas Scott McTominay and Fred could use competition and backup in their respective midfield roles. Paul Pogba’s contract is up next summer, and he will probably end up leaving us when the season ends. And that gives us all the more reasons to go out and get in a young, dynamic, and talented central midfielder who can command our midfield for years to come.
