Liverpool’s transfer ambitions for the summer, where they are planning a overhaul, could be blown a dent by Manchester United’s plans for launching a mammoth €130m (£115m) offer for Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga. The weekend’s demoralising 7-0 loss to Jurgen Klopp’s team was United’s worst defeat in a competitive match since Boxing Day 1931.
While the crushing loss to Liverpool ended United’s 11-game unbeaten streak, it also highlighted areas Erik ten Hag needed to strengthen in the summer. At the end of the season, United will probably prioritise the signing of a midfielder who can play alongside Brazilian talisman Casemiro, while also searching the market for a new striker. Eduardo Camavinga is one player who is apparently on the Red Devils’ radar.
Liverpool’s Bellingham plans in jeopardy as Manchester United plot Camavinga move
Spanish newspaper Fichajes claims that Manchester United are ‘pinning’ to sign Camavinga and are prepared to spend up to €130 million to bring to Old Trafford in the summer. The 20-year-old France international, who was signed by Los Blancos from Rennes in the summer of 2021 for only £27 million, has been hailed as the future of the midfield of the club along with his fellow countryman Aurelien Tchouameni.
As a result, Real apparently would ‘not even contemplate’ losing the midfielder, despite the enormous sum Manchester United are rumoured to be willing to pay. Throughout the club’s difficult season, Camavinga has been one of Carlo Ancelotti’s reliable players. The Frenchman has played a more prominent role for the Los Blancos, alternating between varying positions, from left-back to central midfield.
Due to his versatility, the teenager has already surpassed his total playing time from previous season by nearly 1500 minutes. However, Real’s reluctance to sell the midfielder would apparently benefit United’s arch rivals Liverpool. Jude Bellingham, Liverpool’s top target for the summer window, would walk in through the doors of Santiago Bernabeu if Camavinga were to be sold by Real, freeing up wages and a vacancy in the squad.
According to a number of reports, Liverpool are the firm favourites to land Bellingham since Real were unlikely to have the money to sign the England star. Given that the teenager’s current Borussia Dortmund contract runs until 2025, he would reportedly cost a whopping €145 million. While Real lack those funds in their banks, Camavinga’s €130 sale to Manchester United would certainly help them recoup the money.
However, that would then put a full stop on Liverpool’s ambitions of signing Bellingham, who is tipped as their inaugural signing to kickstart a midfield renovation. While there’s no decision made yet by Bellingham, it is being claimed that the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are the only frontrunners. But amongst the three powerhouses, it is the Reds who direly need the ex-Birmingham starlet. The Merseyside club are also planning to offload as many as three midfielders in the summer in order to fit in Bellingham.