Manchester United should attempt to sign AS Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni over the summer, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

The Red Devils are believed to be in the market for engine room reinforcements when the market reopens for business and have previously been linked with a move for the 22-year-old.

What is the latest news involving Man Utd?

Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic are all expected to depart United ahead of next season, leaving incoming manager Erik ten Hag with several gaps to fill in the centre of the pitch.

And one player who appears to be on the Premier League outfit’s radar is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

According to reporter Gerard Romero, there is a 95 per cent chance that the Dutch international swaps the Camp Nou for Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window.

Romero claims that it could cost United up to €80 million (£68.1m) to prise De Jong away from the Barca, although their financial struggles mean they would be open to his departure.

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However, another potential option is Tchouameni. Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness) previously credited the 20-time English champions with an interest in the defensive-minded dynamo.

But it now seems bitter rivals Liverpool and Real Madrid are leading the race for the 6 foot 2 ace, who has enjoyed an outstanding 2021/22.

What has Talbot said about Tchouameni?

Talbot believes Tchouameni, who is valued at £60m by the CIES Football Observatory, would be a sensible alternative to De Jong for United.

He told GiveMeSport: “I'm not saying that De Jong wouldn't be great for them, he very well could be, but I’d just like to see them go for someone like Tchouameni, who has been linked with Liverpool.

“Someone like that, who is about half the price, who's younger. You just think that Jurgen Klopp is so smart with these buys.”

Would Tchouameni be a good signing?

Pogba has previously been outspoken in his admiration for his international teammate, praising his ‘extraordinary physicality’.

"He's not a boy, he's a man,” said the World Cup winner last September. “It's a pleasure to play next to him, he provides a lot... plenty of energy, technical quality and extraordinary physicality.”

As per FBref, Tchouameni has ranked in the 98th percentile for interceptions, 88th for aerial duels won and 85th for tackles amongst players in his position over the last year.

While he has also displayed his ability with the ball at his feet in recent times, also ranking in the 89th percentile for total shots and 84th for progressive passes, highlighting the quality he would bring to United’s midfield.