Manchester United are allegedly targeting Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba in the summer.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Spanish capital last term where he emerged as a key component in the middle of the park, starting 30 games across all competitions.
Los Blancos have been plagued with injuries in the latest weeks with Valverde limited to just eight starting matches in La Liga this term because of various knocks.
United are understood to be big admirers of the Uruguayan star, however, with The Sun stating they are monitoring him ahead of a potential move this summer, confident they can offer fresh terms to help convince him to depart the Bernabeu.
Valverde allegedly earns £120,000-a-week at Real and has an exit clause of £148 million.
United won’t consider paying that fee but having scouted the midfielder on a couple of occasions and they plan to step up their interest in the coming months, according to the report.
The Red Devils may be in the market for another midfielder regardless of whether Paul stays this summer.
The Frenchman has been influential during the run which has seen his side rise to second in the table but his future remains uncertain after his entourage Mino Raiola declared his time at Old Trafford ‘over’ in December.
‘I can’t speak about Pogba because people are nervous, they don’t sleep at night. I have to work quietly… If I speak, someone gets offended,’ Mino said.
‘Pogba must also be left alone. I will do what I have to do not in front of you, but in the shadows, as I have always done.’
