Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to prioritise signing Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after the club missed out on Elliot Anderson. The former United captain believes the French World Cup star would be the ideal replacement for Casemiro.
United's midfield search intensifies
Manchester United have made midfield reinforcements a key priority this summer. The club has already agreed a £35 million deal for Brazil international Ederson from Atalanta. Manager Michael Carrick is keen to add another midfielder, with Anderson and Mateus Fernandes among the targets.
However, United are set to lose the race for Anderson, with Nottingham Forest accepting Manchester City's £116 million bid. Fernandes could also slip away, as Tottenham are confident of signing the West Ham midfielder.
Ferdinand's plea for Tchouameni
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: 'My biggest thing about it (Mourinho going to Real Madrid) is are United going to get Tchouameni? Because I keep seeing that talked about, and he'd be one of the first midfielders on my list if we had a possibility of getting someone to go in there to replace Casemiro. Tchouameni would be that guy.'
Ferdinand added: 'If Tchouameni has a half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man Utd have to be the first team at the door knocking and make sure he can't even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered.'
The 26-year-old started for France in their World Cup opener against Senegal. Real Madrid are reportedly considering selling him for £70 million to fund new signings for incoming manager Jose Mourinho, following a high-profile fight with Federico Valverde last season.
Other targets and expert views
United are also interested in Bournemouth's Alex Scott, valued at £60 million, and have considered a move for Sandro Tonali. Former United defender Gary Pallister told Metro: 'Tonali would be an ideal signing. He's a player you can see doing well for Manchester United but it will be difficult to prise him away from Newcastle.'
Pallister added: 'I'm sure Michael Carrick will have a wish list that he's given to the Old Trafford chiefs. It's a case of what the club can do and which players they can attract and which players they can offload.'
