Manchester United had been plotting a move for Aurelien Tchouameni as this summer’s marquee midfielder, but now this opportunity is off the table.
The transfer window is finally heating up this week as Manchester United are set to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m, with a medical planned this week.
Santos is expected to be United’s second midfielder, despite uncertainty around Ederson and whether that transfer will get over the line.
Aurelien Tchouameni was considered by many to be the marquee addition on top of the two others, but he now won’t be an option for United.
Aurelien Tchouameni is set to stay with Real Madrid… So WHO should be Man Utd’s marquee midfield signing?
What are your thoughts on where United turn next?!
Ayyoub Bouaddi has become must sign for Manchester United
Tchouameni is set to sign a new Real Madrid contract, with United’s interest sure to now dissipate, but the need for a marquee midfielder hasn’t gone anywhere.
So with there likely being £80m or so there to spend on a big money midfield option, no Tchouameni leaves Ayyoub Bouaddi as the standout potential signing for United.
Obviously, the quality levels are very different, with Tchouameni the best six in world football right now, compared to Bouaddi, who is still a developing 18-year-old but has the potential to be the best in the world.
In an ideal world, Bouaddi should be a cherry on the cake signing, alongside a Tchouameni who can shoulder the pressure and burden. However, with this now not possible, Ineos might just have to go to source for Bouaddi and try to mould him to reach his full potential.
To put it mildly, Bouaddi is currently nowhere near the player Tchouameni is, and his arrival probably means that Andrey Santos will partner Kobbie Mainoo as the first-choice midfield pairing. But the allure of Bouaddi isn’t that he will fix United’s problems immediately, but the potential and the already stellar ability shown at his young age of 18.
Bouaddi will cost north of £72m, breaking Lille’s transfer fee record, which Arsenal set by signing Nicolas Pepe. But in the long run, Bouaddi might be worth every penny.
It would mean beating Arsenal and Real Madrid to one of the biggest talents in world football, and one of the World Cup’s breakout talents.
Bouaddi’s signing isn’t exactly what United need, but that ready-made top-tier six simply isn’t available or on the market this summer, so pivoting to a player who can become that makes a whole lot of sense.
Despite not being perfect for Lille, Bouaddi has shown levels for Morocco at the World Cup. He first dominated Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes, before making Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong look average.
If these are indications of his evolution and the levels he will reach every week, £72m will quickly begin to feel like a bargain.
Man Utd have AGREED a deal to sign Andrey Santos for £48m + £2m add-ons: What is your INSTANT REACTION?
Who do you want Man Utd to sign NEXT?
Bouaddi would mean building a midfield made to dominate
If United pivot to Bouaddi, it would be excellent news for Carrick, as it would be yet another intelligent defensive midfielder who is excellent on the ball.
Bouaddi is a brilliant runner with the ball, a progressive passer, but also excels in safer passing, which would help Michael Carrick to implement his ideal style of play.
Kobbie Mainoo and Bouaddi, with Andrey Santos as the three main midfield options, is a brilliant combination of profiles, but importantly, they are all strong on the ball, allowing Carrick to plan a move proactive, possession-based brand of football.
These three, with someone like Jim Thwaites and Jacob Devaney as the squad options for cup competitions and rotations, would be a really strong group, with Ederson also currently still set to arrive.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
