Manchester United’s midfield rebuild might hinge on a high-risk, high-reward move after the latest Aurelien Tchouameni transfer update.
Having all but secured Ederson for around £38m, Man Utd’s midfield rebuild is off to a functional, if not flashy, start.
Next on the list is likely to be West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who dreams of joining the club and could be available for cheap after the Hammers’ relegation.
The headache begins for the third and marquee midfield addition, where Aurelien Tchouameni’s transfer update means United will be forced into taking a risk.
How much should Man Utd pay to sign Aurelien Tchouameni? What would you consider a fair fee?
Do you think he would be the right fit for Man Utd?
Aurelien Tchouameni transfer update
Much has been written about United looking at the Real Madrid midfielder as their dream target, as he has the pedigree and mentality to replace Casemiro.
The fact that he could realistically be cheaper than Elliot Anderson is a mad one, considering the difference in accolades each has had in their careers.
However, if the deal looks too good to be true, then it likely is, as United are finding out the hard way now with the Frenchman.
Florentino Perez has categorically confirmed that Tchouameni is a key player for Los Blancos, and that he is ‘absolutely, definitely’ staying at the club this summer.
Confirmations don’t come clearer than that, and in the backdrop of impending presidential elections, he wouldn’t want to be caught in a lie.
This all but rules out Tchouameni’s exit chances for Old Trafford, leaving United to take a risk that could turn out two extreme ways.
Man Utd might have to go back to Carlos Baleba
With Tchouameni out of the picture, Elliot Anderson fancying Man City, and Sandro Tonali being a difficult deal, especially after Anthony Gordon’s sale, the options are thinning for Man Utd.
What is the MAXIMUM you would pay for Carlos Baleba this summer?
After a tough season, how much should Manchester United be risking?
The marquee midfield addition increasingly looks likely to be the man who was called the saviour last summer, and is unwanted this time.
Carlos Baleba set pulses racing when United were linked to him last summer, but Brighton didn’t budge.
He went on to have a poor season on all accounts, and the public perception has turned against him in a major way.
It remains to be seen if the season was a by-product of his head being turned by Man Utd, or if the season before was a flash in the pan.
This is what United might have to find out by splashing the cash on him as the third midfielder.
If he rediscovers his form, then it will be a pure masterstroke from Baleba and United, as they will have found each other on the cheap.
If he doesn’t, then United will go into the season having fluffed their most important signing, causing the difference between a good and a poor season.
At this rate, United might not have a choice but to take that high-risk, high-reward gamble.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
