Man United can hijack Jurgen Klopp’s transfer plan to sign Aurelien Tchouameni

Premier League big-hitters Liverpool and Chelsea have both been recently been linked with Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

The is poignant because Manchester United are also reportedly keen on the 21-year-old, and it’s easy to see why.

He’s one of the most highly-regarded young defensive midfielders across Europe and has already been capped seven times by France.

Although the Frenchman only broke into Monaco’s senior squad last season, his impact was almost instantaneous. He quickly became one of his side’s most important players, making a standout 36 appearances across the course of the campaign.

Tchouameni has continued in the same vein this season, which goes a long way to explain why so many top European clubs are tracking him, amid comparisons with Paul Pogba.

For Monaco, he usually operates on the left side of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Watching him in this role, what immediately stands out is his ability to read the game and sniff out danger around him. In terms of tackles and interceptions, he ranked among the top one per cent across Europe’s top five leagues last season with a total of 206.

Aiding him in his duels, both in the air and on the floor, is his imposing physical profile — he’s strong and tall, standing at 6ft 2ins.

United are obviously desperate for an athletic and forceful defensive midfielder, and Tchouameni ticks those boxes. Yet what separates him from other potential transfer targets is his ability with the ball.

Whether winning the ball back or receiving a pass from a teammate, Tchouameni almost always looks incredibly composed in possession.

He’s got great feet, helping him when he needs to dribble out of a congested area, or when carrying the ball up the pitch.

Notably, he’s averaged around 5.11 progressive carries per 90 this season. For context at United, this season Scott McTominay has averaged 2.41, and Fred has averaged 2.86.

All of the above at just 21 is very impressive, and its clear why Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are fans.

However, if Tchouameni is available for a price — which is possible given that his contract is due to expire in two years with no talk of an extension being agreed — then United must do all they can to fend off their rivals and land this ideal midfield recruit. Ralf Rangnick should join his fellow countrymen in the race.

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