Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag 'keen to bring Federico Valverde to Manchester United this summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 February 2023

Ten Hag 'keen to bring Valverde to Man United this summer'

Manchester United will attempt to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde during this summer's transfer window, according to a report.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly identified Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde as a leading transfer target for the summer window.

The Red Devils are planning to move for a new centre-forward at the end of the season, while at least one central midfielder is also expected to arrive at Old Trafford.

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and West Ham United's Declan Rice are among the players to be linked with switches to Old Trafford, but the former is expected to join Liverpool, Real Madrid or Manchester City, while Arsenal are thought to be the favourites for the latter.

There have been claims that Man United could reignite their interest in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, having been heavily linked with the Netherlands international last summer.

However, according to El Nacional, Valverde has emerged as a top target for the club, with Ten Hag determined to bring the 24-year-old to Old Trafford ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Federico Valverde celebrates scoring for Real Madrid on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

The midfielder has found it difficult to show his best form for Real Madrid since returning from the 2022 World Cup, where he represented Uruguay.

However, a successful campaign to date has seen Valverde score eight goals and register four assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

The South American only signed a new contract with Los Blancos in August 2021, with his current deal due to run until June 2027, so it would be incredibly difficult for Man United to secure his signature this summer.

The publication claims that the Red Devils actually offered Real Madrid €80m (£71.4m) for Valverde last summer, but the Spanish club's president Florentino Perez rejected the proposal.

Perez is said to view Valverde as 'non-transferable', while the player is believed to be settled in Spain with his family, and he is now considered to be a key player for the Spanish and European champions.

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde in action with Atletico Madrid's Koke on September 18, 2022 © Reuters

Valverde made the move to Real Madrid from Penarol in 2016, initially representing Real Madrid Castilla before debuting for the first team in 2017.

Despite being regarded as a central midfielder, the Uruguayan is often used as a right-sided attacker by Real Madrid, although his position could change if both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos leave Bernabeu this summer.

Valverde has now featured on 177 occasions for Los Blancos in all competitions, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in the process.

Man United have lost Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek to long-term injuries, while Scott McTominay is currently sidelined with a muscular problem, which led to the club signing Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer on loan in order to boost their midfield options for the remainder of the campaign.