Should Manchester United Be Pursuing Eduardo Camavinga From Stade Rennais?
RENNES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 20: Eduardo Camavinga #10 of Stade Rennais FC looks on during the UEFA ... [+] Champions League Group E stage match between Stade Rennais and FC Krasnodar at Roazhon Park on October 20, 2020 in Rennes, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) Getty Images  With the transfer window open until September, clubs across Europe are in search of reinforcements for next season to bolster their squads. Manchester United, who are on the verge of signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for an initial 75 million, are no different, and will need several players this summer to improve their squad. With Manchester City looking to make a splash in the market by bringing in both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane, two of Englands finest players in the Premier League, the Red Devils know that work is needed to be done to close an already sizeable gap. Sanchos arrival is imminent from Germany, which plugs the void of a right winger, but central defence and defensive midfield are areas that simply must be reinforced if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has any aspiration to challenge for next seasons Premier League. BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Declan Rice of England in action during the England Training ... [+] Session at St George's Park on June 25, 2021 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Getty Images  Talk of West Ham Uniteds Declan Rice has been growing in the off season, but with the Hammers pricing their star player at 100 million, it is highly unlikely that the Red Devils actively pursue Rice this season. Several other elite players across Europe have been linked to the club, such as Atletico Madrids Saul Niguez and Borussia Monchengladbachs Denis Zakaria, but it is Eduardo Camavinga, playing for Stade Rennais, that has created the most excitement so far. The France international has risen in price exponentially since breaking through to the first team at Stade Rennais two years ago. Camavinga has shown his appetite to do the perceived dirty work of a defensive midfielder, but also his panache and athleticism to act as a box-to-box midfielder if necessary. More so than what a box-to-box midfielder can offer, Manchester United need someone to sit and give license to Paul Pogba, should he stay and sign a new contract, to move forward and up the pitch. TOPSHOT - France's midfielder Eduardo Camavinga celebrates after scoring a goal during the ... [+] International friendly football match between France and Ukraine, on October 7, 2020 in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images  As seen for France, Pogbas influence in the final third is unmatched, as well as his ability to strike on goal and make players come alive around him. Manchester United should be doing everything in their power to tie Pogba down to a new contract and bring in another midfielder to sit next to him proficiently. Camavinga will not come cheaply, but with broadcasting rights considerably worse in Frnance and 12 months without fans in the stadium to create match-day revenue, certain French clubs are under pressure to raise funds to operate. While this will provide a discount of some sort on Camavinga, Rennais know that he is a generational talent and will still cost more than 50 million to prize away. If the Frenchman comes to Old Trafford with the mandate of being a defensive midfielder that can function in a two-man pivot alongside Pogba, then Manchester United will have a very exciting and functional midfield. At just 18 years of age, Camavinga has provided top European clubs with the knowledge that he is ready for the next stage of his career, while also having the capacity to reach new heights. Whichever club does sign him this summer will be able to enjoy his potential for years to come.