Man Utd join Real Madrid in race for French ace after glowing scouting reports

Manchester United hope to beat Real Madrid to the signature of Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga this summer and believe they have the upper hand as they’re willing to loan the teenager back to the Ligue 1 club for a further 12 months, Metro.co.uk understands.

Camavinga, 17, has made 36 appearances for Rennes this season and helped the club to a third place finish after Ligue 1 was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The midfielder is the youngest player to play for Rennes in the club’s history having made his debut at the age of 16 and his rapid progress has attracted attention from across Europe, with Real Madrid the most noted interested party.

However, Metro.co.uk can reveal that Manchester United are in the running for Camavinga’s signature and have made more than a dozen checks on the midfielder in the last 12 months.

After receiving glowing reports from the club’s newly-widened French network of scouts, Marcel Bout, United’s head of global scouting, made a personal check on the teenager.

Bout joined the club alongside Louis van Gaal in 2014 but he earned a promotion after the Dutchman’s departure and his opinion is highly respected by United’s coaching department.

Camavinga has primarily been deployed at the base of midfield this term, which has seen him draw comparisons with former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace Xabi Alonso. However, as he develops, the teenager is expected to become a box-to-box midfielder.

The effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been widespread across football and United are not immune from the downturn, as they announced last week that the club’s net debt increased  £127.4m to £429.1m in the last 12 months.

Rennes boss Julien Stephan on Camavinga's future

‘I’d always offer the advice of staying here for another season as part of a learning process as I feel the player still has a hurdle or two to overcome before moving to a major European side.’

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, warned in April that supporters should not expect big money signings and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has adapted his transfer strategy since the pandemic hit.

While Jadon Sancho remains a primary target, United believe more affordable moves for the likes of Jude Bellingham and Camavinga could prove more viable this summer as the pair’s sell-on value is only likely to increase.

As with Bellingham, United are willing to let Camavinga spend a further season on loan at Rennes.

The Red Devils believe this could give them the upper hand in negotiations as Rennes are desperate to keep hold of the youngster, particularly as they can offer Champions League football next term.

United are also of the opinion that a further season in France would aid Camavinga’s development but are wary they must pounce now as European football is in flux.

Part of United’s confidence that Rennes will cash in this summer stems from the fact that Camavinga has just two years to run on his deal and his value would plummet if he stays for a further season without extending his deal.

Rennes are understandably trying to extract the highest fee possible for the midfielder and sources have told Metro.co.uk that the French club have been seeking ‘silly money’, with a fee in the region of £60m mentioned.

However, United believe a deal of around £25m is realistic but the Red Devils know they face stiff competition from other European giants, with Real Madrid at the front of the queue.

Nevertheless, the midfielder fits Solskjaer’s plans of buying players with growing profiles that he can mould into his own style.