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Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand thinks his former club are “holding the money back” in the hope that top target Aurelien Tchouameni is made available for transfer by Real Madrid.

The Red Devils were pursuing West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes as a potential alternative, but they were not willing to match Tottenham’s £85m bid for the Portuguese international.

Ferdinand says he is very much hoping it leads to United signing Tchouameni if he comes onto the market before the summer transfer window closes:

“You know what, I’m going to put my neck on the line, I think Man United are holding up their money, they’re holding the money back for one man and that’s Tchouameni. If he becomes available in this market, Man United are not going to miss, they can’t afford to miss that one. They may let another couple slip through the bag if the price isn’t right.”

Man Utd were trying to sign Fernandes

Despite what Ferdinand’s says, the Manchester club’s interest in the West Ham star was VERY serious. Reliable BBC journalist Simon Stone has revealed what actually happened in negotiations.

The Red Devils “pushed hard” in talks, and they WERE prepared to pay £85m for Fernandes (including add-ons), but they felt that Spurs would still have outbid them with an offer as high as £90m. The long and short of it is they were priced out.

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Is Tchouameni a genuine target?

Some, including Fabrizio Romano, have questioned whether United have the resources to agree personal terms with the Frenchman, even if he became available. Others have pushed back on that claim.

Tchouameni would be an outstanding addition to the squad as our analysis of the five midfield alternatives to Fernandes shows. However, it remains to be seen whether a) Real will sell him and b) he is interested in making the switch to Old Trafford.

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