Manchester United have ‘reservations’ over signing Chelsea midfielder target Eduardo Camavinga this summer.
Camavinga, 18, has been strongly linked to the Red Devils in recent days, with Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming the club had initiated first contacts with Rennes to try and get the wheels in motion on this deal.
Chelsea have also been linked to the young Frenchman, but on a more tentative basis than Man United, with the Blues already boasting a wealth of options in midfield.
French outlet Le Parisien (via GFFN) reported that Chelsea have been in contact with agent Jonathan Barnett as they plan a swoop for the 18-year-old.
Declan Rice and Camavinga are midfielders that both clubs are said to be interested in, however the 18-year-old seems more realistic of an option for each team due to his availability this summer and Rice’s prohibitive price tag.
West Ham have valued Rice at around £80million, while the Ligue 1 midfielder has a £25million fee requested for him. Rennes need to generate money from player sales in order to help with financial strain that Covid-19 has put on almost all French clubs.
With that in mind, a transfer race has reportedly heated up between the two English clubs, and despite seeming like they were behind in the race to sign Camavinga, an interesting development has put the Blues right back in it.
Manchester Evening News state that Camavinga is “not the preferred pick” at United, who are looking for more Premier League proven players this summer, therefore casting doubt over a potential move for the 18-year-old.
While Rice and Camavinga are both of interest at Old Trafford, it seems as those West Ham will be able to hold off a transfer for the England international this summer with his contract running until 2024, while Rennes do have to sell this year.
This update provides a big boost in Chelsea’s quest to sign a new midfielder ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
With Billy Gilmour going out on loan to fellow Premier League club Norwich City, an extra space in the squad roster has opened up in the midfield position.
The summer window is officially open and now the Blues can look to build on European glory and bolster the squad to push for Premier League supremacy.
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football.london understands that Rice is Chelsea’s first option, but a deal is proving tricky at the moment due to the price West Ham have put on the 22-year-old.
Furthermore, other options are being explored with French duo Camavinga and Boubacar Kamara on the list of alternatives to the England midfielder.
Camavinga made a total of 39 appearances in all competitions for the French club last season, scoring one goal and assisting a further three.