Man Utd’s chase for Aurelien Tchouameni is taking new twists and turns, and the latest one is pretty ill-advised.
After receiving a boost from Aurelien Tchouameni and flying into Real Madrid to start club-to-club talks, Man Utd looked in a good position.
United’s window basically hinges on Tchouameni signing or not, so this is a deal that they need to approach with full intent and clarity.
However, the latest update is worrying from that perspective, because the club have started playing a dangerous game with the Frenchman.
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Man Utd trying to strong-arm Aurelien Tchouameni
When Man Utd walked away from deals for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, they were praised for staying financially responsible.
Furthermore, they’re only trying to buy players who are desperate to play for the club, so there’s no bidding war and sagas involved.
Having said that, they did move heaven and earth to sign Leny Yoro ahead of Madrid, so it’s puzzling that they’re trying to strong-arm Tchouameni now.
Fabrizio Romano reports that United have told the player that he basically needs to take a pay cut to join the club, while not yet receiving a green light from Madrid.
It’s a dangerous game to play with a player who is just as happy to stay at Madrid. Instead of trying to go all-in on convincing a world-class talent, they are trying to smoke him out.
Tchouameni is no Anderson or Fernandes. He’s a bona fide superstar who could have his pick of clubs if he wanted to leave Spain.
To tell such a player to take a pay cut when he isn’t even entirely sure about leaving screams a lack of sincerity, and preferring to save money over strengthening the team.
Ineos not striking a balance between ambition and responsibility
It’s all well and good to be financially responsible, but there are opportunities in the market that require special dispensation.
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A player like Tchouameni is rarely available on the market, especially in such an inflated one.
He’s worth all the money and wages they give him, so if there was ever a player to loosen the purse strings for, it’s the Frenchman.
If Ineos treat Tchouameni like they did Fernandes or Anderson, it says that they would rather keep the money in hand rather than a player on the team.
That is a remarkable lack of ambition at the end of the season, which should be a launchpad for future success.
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