Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid have had a lot of back and forth throughout the summer regarding the futures of their existing midfield options.
This was closely linked with the fact that the club were linked with players like Bernardo Silva, whom they have successfully signed.
Both Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga have been considered potential exit candidates at various points, the former despite supposedly agreeing to a contract renewal.
Now, according to ESPN journalist Rob Dawson speaking on the United Stand, Manchester United are keeping tabs on the two Frenchmen as market opportunities.
Dawson mentioned that intermediaries sounded out Premier League clubs over Camavinga before the window.
“United were told before the summer that Real Madrid were going to look to try and get a few players out the door,” Dawson said.
“As far as I know, Camavinga was offered to Premier League clubs by intermediaries just to gauge interest,” he continued.
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid
Camavinga has failed to convince. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
That fits with the uncertainty around the Frenchman’s role. Camavinga wants to remain at Madrid, but he has not yet established himself as an undisputed starter under Jose Mourinho.
His pre-season has not helped his cause either, with the 23-year-old failing to impose himself despite the opportunities afforded to him.
Dawson also suggested that Tchouameni’s situation was different from that of Camavinga.
The French international is understood to have agreed a new long-term contract with Los Blancos, although there has been no official announcement so far from the club, creating an element of uncertainty around his future.
Manchester United are not necessarily pursuing either player aggressively, but are prepared to react if circumstances change.
“I think United are looking at those two as market opportunities,” Dawson said.
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and France
Tchouameni has allegedly agreed a new contract at Real Madrid. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
However, any deal would require several conditions to align.
“You have to be sure that they want to play for Man United, that they want to leave Real Madrid and they’re not just being forced out, you have to make sure that they fit into your wage structure,” he explained.
Had Real Madrid managed to sign Rodri, it would have been almost certain that one of the Frenchmen would have had to leave the club this summer.
However, with the club missing out on the Spaniard, it leaves the door open for both players to win over Mourinho.
It could all depend on what Los Blancos decide to do between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
If Real Madrid go ahead and sign a new player for the holding midfield role, it could create a ‘market opportunity’ for Manchester United to capitalise on.
It remains to be seen whether Tchouameni or Camavinga leave in search of a new club in the coming weeks.
Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Real Madrid spent the summer trying to sign Rodri from Manchester City, but the Spaniard eventually chose to give preference to a move to Barcelona.
While Rodri has not yet moved to the Catalan club, Los Blancos have definitely moved out of contention to sign him this summer.
According to AS, this has left Jose Mourinho with a decision to make on his midfield options without the option of the 30-year-old Spaniard.
The Portuguese tactician appears settled on using a 4-2-3-1 system, but the two midfield spots behind Jude Bellingham remain very much up for grabs.
The Englishman is nailed on for the spot directly behind the striker, and rightly so, following his exploits for England at the World Cup.
Federico Valverde looks almost certain to remain one of Mourinho’s key players. He has also taken on the armband for the new season.
Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player
Set to be a regular starter. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
The Uruguayan captain brings energy, leadership and tactical flexibility, making him one of the strongest contenders to start.
Alongside him, Bernardo Silva has quickly emerged as another favourite.
Although naturally a more advanced midfielder, the Portuguese international has already shown during pre-season that he can dictate play from deeper areas.
In the absence of a profile like Rodri, Jose can get away with deploying Bernardo in defensive midfield in a similar role.
Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to challenge strongly once he returns to full fitness after minor physical issues delayed his integration into pre-season.
Eduardo Camavinga has started every friendly so far but continues to face uncertainty over his long-term role after an inconsistent campaign.
He has not had the most compelling of pre-seasons either for Jose to look at him and make him a key part of his plans.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler has been one of the standout performers of pre-season. However, Mourinho still views the Turkish international primarily as a No. 10, where Bellingham remains first choice.
Arda Guler of Real Madrid
Pushing for a prominent role. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Young midfielder Thiago Pitarch also remains part of the first-team plans despite retaining a Castilla registration.
The Spanish breakout starlet was initially a candidate to leave the club this summer, but the Rodri setback seems to have paved the way for him in the first team.
The most important challenge for Mourinho is not putting the best two names together in the middle of the park, but rather identifying the balance that works.
On paper, a combination of Valverde and Bernardo can work wonders, but the others will have to step up.
The upcoming season could be massive for the likes of Tchouameni and Camavinga, who are both young but have not yet proven themselves at the club.
It remains to be seen how Jose goes about getting his midfield options working and whether he can identify the perfect combination that makes Rodri’s absence as irrelevant as possible in the long run.