Manchester United 'holding back' transfer budget to sign dream midfield target

Manchester United are reportedly holding back a large amount of money to sign Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer transfer window.

United will have to head back to the drawing board in their midfield overhaul after they missed out on a deal for West Ham ace Mateus Fernandes.

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed an £85 million deal to sign the central midfielder, a fee United were not prepared to match for a player of his quality.

The Red Devils had previously cooled their interest in top target Elliot Anderson when it became clear he would cost £116m, but could yet break their club transfer record to sign an elite midfielder this summer.

Michael Carrick has prioritised midfield reinforcement in the coming months, with at least two new additions expected to the first-team squad.

United have already agreed an initial £35m fee to sign Ederson from Atalanta and are prepared to spend big on a marquee addition if the right profile of player becomes available.

There remains a preference to sign someone with Premier League experience and United retain an interest in Bournemouth gem Alex Scott and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha is also on their radar, while Real Madrid ace Tchouameni is viewed as a dream target.

Aurelien Tchouameni must lower demands for United move

Football Transfers reiterate that Tchouameni has 'always been the dream target' for United this summer, though there is uncertainty over his future after Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid.

It is unclear whether the Portuguese coach would be willing to lose the France international, and even if he did, the 26-year-old would need to lower his wage demands to facilitate a move.

Tchouameni is currently away at the World Cup and will be entitled to an extended break after he participates in the competition, so any move for him is unlikely to be secured until the final weeks of the window.

It means United could be left with an anxious wait to discover whether a move for their dream target can be achieved before transfer deadline day.

Speaking in a video posted to social media, United great Rio Ferdinand claimed his former side were 'holding money back' in case the Frenchman were to become available.

"I’ve woke up to the news that Fernandes from West Ham could be going to Spurs, £80m, £80m, huge money, it’s thrown me," Ferdinand said.

"I think Manchester United and Arsenal have made it very clear, they have a stance in this window, they’re not going to overpay for people who they don’t feel they should.

‘You know what, I’m going to put my neck on the line, I think Man United are holding up their money, they’re holding the money back for one man and that’s Tchouameni.

"If he becomes available in this market, Man United are not going to miss, they can’t afford to miss that one. They may let another couple slip through the bag if the price isn’t right."