Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to make ambitious move for £85.3m Real Madrid star

Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United should consider an ambitious move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in this summer's transfer window.

United plan to strengthen their central-midfield options this summer with fresh blood, despite drafting in both Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer. The latter left Madrid to join the Reds just two months after the Spanish giants signed Tchouameni from AS Monaco for an eye-watering £85.3million fee.

United have, as reported by the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday, tabled a new and improved offer for Chelsea ace Mason Mount, who has established himself as one of manager Erik ten Hag's top targets. The Dutchman wants to reduce the average age of the club's midfield options and Mount, 24, would help him do that.

However, Ferdinand believes United should be on the hunt for even more talent to strengthen their engine room, urging them to make an eye-catching move for Tchouameni, who made 50 appearances in his debut season in the Spanish capital.

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Ferdinand, speaking on the Vibe with Five podcast, said: "In midfield, you know who I would go and get? I would go try get Tchouameni.

"He is going to be the one who doesn't play, he is the odd man out at the minute. [He would be a] massive improvement."

Despite being a regular fixture in Carlo Ancelotti's plans during the 2022/23 campaign, the arrival of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund has significantly increased the level of quality and competition within Madrid's midfield. Los Blancos now boast a pool of midfield talent consisting of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde,