Manchester United appear to be on track to sign Real Madrid star Federico Valverde due to internal issues at the Spanish club.
Since this past summer, Man United have been linked with a variety of midfielders, given the uncertain futures of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as a lack of squad depth in this position.
Yesterday, The Peoples Person relayed that Elliot Anderson is allegedly a priority signing for United as they seek a new central midfielder.
With the club seemingly focused on signing Premier League-proven players, it seems that the club could overlook this preference when it comes to Valverde.
Pursuing Valverde
Soon after the summer transfer window shut, it was reported that United are preparing an offer worth around €80 million for Valverde in January.
This hefty sum would signal United’s serious intent to sign the Uruguayan, while reports of an ongoing feud between him and Madrid manager Xabi Alonso only boosted such transfer hopes.
While Alonso played down this supposed conflict, it now seems that Valverde could be edging toward the exit door once again.
Given his performances on the pitch, United’s interest in Valverde is understandable, especially when looking at his UEFA Champions League performances last season:
Statistic Value
Player Federico Valverde
Matches
Appearances 14
Started 14
Minutes per game 88
Total minutes played 1236
Team of the week 1
Attacking
Goals 0
Expected goals (xG) 0.37
Scoring frequency (in minutes) 0min
Goals per game 0.0
Total shots 0.9
Shots on target per game 0.07
Big chances missed 0
Goal conversion 0%
Free kick goals 0/3
Free kick conversion 0%
Goals from inside the box 0/2
Goals from outside the box 0/11
Headed goals 0
Left-footed goals 0
Right-footed goals 0
Penalty won 0
Passing
Assists 3
Expected assists (xA) 1.41
Touches 69.3
Big chances created 4
Key passes 1.3
Accurate passes 50.6 (90%)
Acc. own half 20.1 (93%)
Acc. opposition half 30.6 (87%)
Long balls (accurate) 3.5 (68%)
Accurate chip passes 2.3 (70%)
Acc. crosses 0.1 (14%)
Defending
Interceptions 1.9
Tackles per game 1.8
Possession won (final third) 0.3
Balls recovered per game 3.5
Dribbled past per game 1.0
Clearances per game 2.1
Errors leading to shot 0
Errors leading to goal 0
Penalties committed 0
Other (per game)
Succ. dribbles 0.3 (67%)
Total duels won 3.1 (54%)
Ground duels won 2.2 (53%)
Aerial duels won 0.9 (57%)
Possession lost 6.9
Fouls per game 0.8
Was fouled 0.1
Offsides 0.0
Frustration at the Santiago Bernabéu
“Which Real Madrid players are happy and unhappy with Xabi Alonso?,” Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE posted on X.
“Vinicius, Valverde, Rodrygo, Brahim, Endrick, Mendy…” the post continued, referring to them as dissatisfied players under Alonso. “Huijsen, Carreras, Courtois, Guler y Mbappé,” were then listed as those who are satisfied.
⚖️ ¿Qué jugadores del Real Madrid están contentos y descontentos con Xabi Alonso?
👎🏽 "Vinicius, Valverde, Rodrygo, Brahim, Endrick, Mendy…"
👍🏽 "Huijsen, Carreras, Courtois, Guler y Mbappé"
📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/kg9KgsBZTy
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) November 24, 2025
It seems that this feud in Madrid is not yet over, and if United are genuinely interested in scooping up Valverde, they could secure a major asset that could transform their midfield.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social