Manchester United were met with a strong response by Federico Valverde after Sir Jim Ratcliffe held direct talks with the Real Madrid midfielder, according to a report from Spain.Midfield RebuildThe R...
Manchester United were met with a strong response by Federico Valverde after Sir Jim Ratcliffe held direct talks with the Real Madrid midfielder, according to a report from Spain.
Midfield Rebuild
The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of their midfield this summer, with at least two new recruits expected to arrive, given Casemiro’s exit and the uncertainty over the future of Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguay international has struggled acutely since arriving at Old Trafford in a £50.5 million switch from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
It is a damning indictment of how quickly United’s control in a match depletes once Ugarte comes on in place of the ageing Casemiro, who is no longer able to last the full 90 minutes as he rapidly approaches his 34th birthday. The Brazilian behemoth’s contract expires at the end of the season and United have ruled out the prospect of a renewal, and it is a different Uruguayan midfielder the club have identified as a potential replacement.
The plan involves a return to the Santiago Bernabeu to repeat the raid which brought Casemiro to Manchester in the first place, with United strongly linked with Valverde. The 27-year-old enforcer is one of the most complete midfielders in world football, capable of playing in virtually every area of the pitch due to his outstanding combination of speed, strength and skill.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United were considering a blockbuster offer to lure Valverde to Old Trafford, with noises emanating from the Spanish capital of discontent with his role in the team. Now, according to an update from Spain, it is claimed INEOS – led by Ratcliffe himself – has held “two meetings” with Valverde’s agent to facilitate a meal.
However, the United co-owner was met with ambivalence, as the midfielder has his eyes set on one of Europe’s elite clubs should he depart the Bernabeu this summer.
A Soft No
As relayed by Football365 , the report reveals the Madrid superstar is “open” to exploring his future, with a sense that this would be his last chance to seal a big-money move away from La Liga.
It does not appear Old Trafford factors into this decision-making process, however, despite United’s active interest in signing him.
“The Real Madrid midfielder is ‘open to exploring all his future options’ but the Man Utd option ‘isn’t his most appealing’ as he ‘prefers to join a team with institutional stability and the guarantee of competing for every title’,” the report details.
“Valverde’s agent ‘has held two meetings’ with Man Utd co-owner Ratcliffe in the last three weeks, fuelling speculation he could move to Old Trafford. Real Madrid, for their part, ‘will only accept offers approaching €100m’ for Valverde, an investment that Man Utd ‘seem willing to make’.”
Nevertheless, whether United are prepared to match Madrid’s exorbitant fee or not, if Valverde himself is not interested in a move, the club’s mutual willingness to seal a deal will be irrelevant.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Category: General Sports
