Aurelien Tchouameni replaced Casemiro at Real Madrid in 2022. And he could do so again at Manchester United this summer if recent reports are to be believed.
According to multiple sources, The French midfielder features prominently on the list of potential replacements for the Brazilian at Old Traford.
While that may come as a surprise, Real Madrid are allegedly also looking to shift either or both of Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to raise funds for a midfield revamp.
With a second successive trophyless season in sight, change is evidently needed at the Santiago Bernabeu. Rodri and Enzo Fernandez have have both fluttered their eyes at Los Blancos in recent months.
And that’s without mentioning the strong likelihood of a new manager being in place at the Bernabeu. But that’s for Real Madrid to consider.
What about Man Utd? Is Tchouameni the dream midfield signing this summer?
Can Tchouameni replace Casemiro at Man Utd?
A perfect fit alongside Mainoo?
Man Utd need at least two, and probably three, midfielders this summer. And finding the ideal partner for Kobbie Mainoo is their first objective.
The 21-year-old has been reborn under Michael Carrick, simply due to the fact that he’s actually playing. His display in the weekend’s win over Chelsea was his best during Carrick’s reign, according to the interim boss.
While Casemiro and Mainoo have formed a strong midfield pairing under Carrick, Tchouameni is an upgrade on the Brazilian in several areas.
The first is the most obvious – age. Casemiro has enjoyed a rather stunning renaissance this season but he turned 34 in February. And he’s playing just one game a week.
Tchouameni, on the other hand, is coming into his prime years having turned 26 in January. Given both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were the same age upon joining last summer and Bruno Fernandes was just younger when he signed in 2020, there is a clear template to follow.
Casemiro’s athleticism has expectedly dwindled over his four years in Manchester. But Tchouameni offers near-everything one would want from a No.6.
He is a supreme athlete with brilliant anticipation, ball-winning ability and prowess in the air. Granted he may not be as good aerially as the Brazilian but, frankly, who is right now?
A good duo
Tchouameni isn’t just a midfield destroyer though. Like Casemiro and anyone who plays in midfield for Real Madrid, he is also good on the ball with reliable, high-volume passing and more than capable of a strong switch of play.
While he isn’t a ball carrier or very press-resistant, those are skills that Mainoo possesses in spades. The two look a very complementary match on paper in a new Man Utd midfield.
Neither are a huge goal threat, something that can’t be said about Casemiro given he’s scored more league goals this season than either Tchouameni has for Real and Mainoo has in his young career.
However, that could yet change with Mainoo scoring several big goals for Man Utd over the years and Tchouameni knocking England out of the 2022 World Cup with a long-range piledriver. Memories of that would make him popular in the eyes of many Man Utd fans.
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It is the summer of the midfielder and not just for Man Utd. Both Liverpool and Manchester City will be in the market and that’s just of the Premier League clubs.
Elliot Anderson has been linked with Man Utd but is strongly rumoured to be set on Man City. He could serve as either a replacement or partner for Rodri with Bernardo Silva’s departure from the Etihad confirmed.
Sandro Tonali’s future is also up in the air with Newcastle United’s dismal season likely to lead to at least one big-name exit, while Adam Wharton will probably leave Crystal Palace.
Neither are a perfect fit alongside Mainoo, particularly Wharton, and even Anderson isn’t near the pure No.6 that Tchouameni is.
Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana or Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba are probably the closest in England. Villa’s Champions League qualification near-rules out Onana while Baleba’s big dip in form after interest from Man Utd last summer is not a good sign.
A fear of history repeating itself
Tchouameni looks to tick every single box so why is there likely to be trepidation from Man Utd fans? It’s quite simple.
If the Frenchman is perfect for Man Utd and an obviously talented player, why do Real Madrid want to sell him?
It’s not due to injuries given he’s played 190 times in four seasons at the club. Or form as he’s set to anchor the midfield for France at the World Cup.
Raphael Varane joined at 28 but was beset by injuries for a long time before and ended up retiring just three years later. There was a risk involved in that deal and even more with Casemiro’s extortionate fee and salary.
Man Utd have been burnt before and the same goes for dealings with Bayern Munich. Owen Hargreaves’ knee issues were such that he played just one full season at Man Utd. Matthijs de Ligt’s been out since December with no indication on his scheduled return.
Take away that somewhat rational fear and it seems the most obvious deal for Man Utd to try and do this summer. They’d just want to be careful dealing with Florentino Perez and any agents. But surely that’s a given.