Manchester United are credited with an interest in Aurelien Tchouameni, with the France international facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid after being fined
Aurelien Tchouameni and Kobbie Mainoo
Aurelien Tchouameni and Kobbie Mainoo could be Manchester United teammates next season(Image: Getty Images)
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Emmanuel Petit believes Aurelien Tchouameni is the best fit to replace Casemiro at Manchester United.
Tchouameni, 26, effectively replaced the Brazil international at Madrid four years ago, signing from Monaco mere months before Casemiro moved to Old Trafford, and could now do so again by following in his footsteps. After being fined by Madrid for what Federico Valverde called a "senseless fight" at training, the France international potentially faces an uncertain future this summer.
United's links to Tchouameni date back to his days at Monaco. With a midfield rebuild on the agenda this offseason, a move to Manchester could finally materialise.
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Eduardo Camavinga is another Madrid player they are also said to be interested in. Petit, though, believes Tchouameni would be a more suitable replacement for Casemiro.
He told BOYLE Sports: "Eduardo Camavinga can play the same position as Casemiro, but he doesn't have the same qualities. Camavinga is not in the first XI anymore at Real Madrid, and I think he's about to leave the club this summer.
"But, if Manchester United wants him to replace Casemiro, it should be with Aurelien Tchouameni. Tchouameni would suit this position better than Camavinga; I think he'd be a great fit there."
Petit goes even further, declaring Tchouameni the best fit to replace Casemiro, after also considering Carlos Baleba, but notably not mentioning Kobbie Mainoo. He said: "I can see some other players too, like Carlos Baleba, from Brighton & Hove Albion.
"I think he is strong, and I think he can improve a lot. He's got interesting qualities, but for me, Tchouameni is the best fit."
However, it is not yet clear whether the France international will be available this summer. After the recent disciplinary action against him, Tchouameni apologised for his actions on social media.
He said: "What happened this week in training is unacceptable – I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school. No matter who is right or wrong, we should always look for the calmest solution to resolve a conflict.
"Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded, but frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid, especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.
"The internet loves to invent the wildest stories for the buzz, so don't believe everything that's being said or the false narrative. Anyway, now is no longer the time to figure out who did what, who said what, or who was right or wrong.
"I acknowledge the club's sanction, and I accept it. We remain family, with disagreements at times, but we must always put our objectives above everything else. I apologised to the group, and I also want to extend my apologies to all Madridistas."