Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid and still deciding the future of Manchester United’s midfield. That sounds odd eight years after he got fired by the Red Devils, but here we are.
Real Madrid has been busy this week. Marc Cucurella joined for £52 million from Chelsea. Bernardo Silva came in on a free from Manchester City. Ibrahima Konate arrived from Liverpool for nothing, and Denzel Dumfries cost £17 million from Inter. Now Mourinho wants a box-to-box midfielder, and he’s got two names on his list.
According to Marca, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez is Mourinho’s first choice. Chelsea wants £120 million for him. Ben Jacobs reported that Fernandez wants to join Cucurella in Madrid. But Real might not go that high. They’re also looking at Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, who has an £80 million price tag.
That’s where Manchester United comes in. United wants Fernandes. Fabrizio Romano said Wednesday that United is in direct contact with the player’s camp and Fernandes is keen on the move. But if Real Madrid comes calling, most players say yes. So United might lose out on Fernandes.
Here’s the twist though. AS reports that Real Madrid is ready to make a big midfield sale because they’re bringing in so many new players. The name that could go is either Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga. Both have been linked to the Premier League, specifically Manchester United.
Tchouameni has a complicated situation. His fight with Federico Valverde could affect his future at Madrid. Historically he’s been seen as more important than Camavinga, but Mourinho might see things differently. If Tchouameni becomes available, United might prefer buying him instead of fighting Real Madrid for Fernandes.
United’s midfield needs help. Kobbie Mainoo is young and talented, but he can’t do it alone. Tchouameni would be a perfect partner. He’s strong defensively, can carry the ball, and has Champions League experience. At 26, he’s entering his prime.
The big question is whether Madrid actually sells him. They don’t usually let go of young talent unless the player pushes for it. But with all the new signings and Mourinho reshaping the squad, anything is possible.
For Manchester United, the next few weeks are critical. They could end up with Fernandes or Tchouameni. Or neither, if Madrid plays hardball.
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