Manchester United tracked Monaco ace Aurelien Tchouameni throughout the summer transfer window and will firm up their interest in January, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
What's the latest news involving Tchouameni?
Tchouameni remained at Monaco following the closure of the transfer market despite interest from United.
Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, via the Daily Express, journalist Duncan Castles confirmed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had made contact with Tchouameni's representatives at Monaco prior to the transfer window slamming shut at the end of last month.
However, United were not the only Premier League club to hold an interest in Tchouameni throughout the summer as he was also on Chelsea's radar and Thomas Tuchel's Champions League holders could revisit the possibility of drafting him into their squad when the transfer window reopens in January.
Having come through the ranks at Bordeaux before securing a move to Ligue One rivals Monaco in January 2020, Tchouameni has gone on to make 54 appearances for his current employers.
Nine of those outings have already come this term, with him also showing his attacking capabilities by finding the back of the net in the Champions League qualifying win over Czech Republic outfit Sparta Prague last month.
Tchouameni has broken into the plans of France's World Cup-winning head coach Didier Deschamps and won the first three caps of his fledgling career during the recent international break.
What has Dean Jones said about Tchouameni?
While United grabbed the headlines late in the window by sealing the return of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo from Italian giants Juventus, Jones has confirmed Tchouameni remains on boss Solskjaer's wishlist.
Jones has refused to rule out the possibility of the Red Devils making a bid for the midfielder in the New Year.
He told GMS: "They were already in discussions for him."
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Should United pull off the signing, Tchouameni would bolster Solskjaer's options as he only has Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek to select from when it comes to the central midfield berth.
However, he will not come cheap as Transfermarkt value Tchouameni at £27million.
What has Paul Pogba said about Tchouameni?
Red Devils midfielder Pogba featured alongside Tchouameni in France's midfield during the recent international break and added to the speculation that the 21-year-old could be heading to Old Trafford in the not-too-distant future by stating he wants to 'always' play alongside the starlet.
When speaking to French media outlet RTL, Pogba also described Tchouameni as: "Very, very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man.
"It’s a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
‘We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side."