Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand wants his former club to make a move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Frenchman only made the switch to the Bernabeu last summer for €100m but he was not always a starter for the La Liga club in his first season, and Ferdinand feels he could strengthen Erik ten Hag’s midfield significantly:

“In midfield, you know who I would go and get? I would go try [and] get Tchouameni. He is the one who doesn’t play, he is the odd man out at the minute. Massive improvement.”

Tchouameni was a player in huge demand before Real won the race for his signature. United were one of the names mentioned as potential suitors, along with Liverpool and Chelsea.

Whether the 23-year-old would be open to leaving Spain after only twelve months, it is up for debate. He is also still very young so the midfielder is unlikely to be available on the cheap either.

One other Premier League side has already tried their luck with a bid for Tchouameni this summer

Catalan publication Sport reported on Tuesday that Chelsea had reignited their interest in the France international, tabling a €60m (£52m) offer for the player.

Whether that story is accurate or not, it does demonstrate that speculation about Tchouameni’s future is beginning to gather pace.

United’s midfield transfer targets

If Tchouameni is too expensive, who else are United likely to target to reinforce their options in the middle of the park? Juventus’s Adrien Rabiot remains on the club’s radar, with ten Hag known to be a big fan of the 28-year-old. Considering he could be available on a free transfer in just over a week’s time, it is one to keep an eye on.

In terms of alternatives, Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Everton’s Amadou Onana and Wolfsburg’s Lukas Nmecha have also been mentioned as potential targets.