Manchester United are preparing for an ambitious midfield overhaul with two stars from Real Madrid in preparation for the era of manager Michael Carrick.

Manchester United are preparing for a major midfield overhaul in the upcoming summer transfer window. According to Defensa Central, the Manchester club’s leadership are ready to offer £104 million (equivalent to €120 million) to persuade Real Madrid to release Eduardo Camavinga and Nico Paz.

Michael Carrick and the challenge of strengthening Manchester United’s midfield in the summer of 2026.
Eduardo Camavinga: A versatile solution for the midfield

The centerpiece of this transfer plan is Eduardo Camavinga, the French midfielder who is experiencing a difficult period in terms of playing time at the Bernabeu. At 23 years old, Camavinga is considered one of the most complete midfielders in the world thanks to his ability to flexibly play as a number 6, number 8, or even left-back when needed.

This versatility makes the French star a perfect fit for the football philosophy that coach Michael Carrick is building at Old Trafford. Despite receiving close attention from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, Man Utd remains determined to make Camavinga the new key player in the midfield.

Nico Paz: A long-term vision for the playmaker

The second name in the over £100 million bid is the young talent Nico Paz. The Argentinian midfielder is currently playing impressively at Como under coach Cesc Fabregas. Despite leaving Real Madrid, the Spanish giants still hold 50% of his image rights and a buy-back clause worth €9 million.

Experts predict Real Madrid will soon activate this clause to bring the 21-year-old midfielder back to Spain before proceeding with further transfers. Manchester United’s scouting department highly values ​​Nico Paz’s tactical vision and sees him as the ideal successor to the playmaker position currently occupied by Bruno Fernandes.

Nico Paz is on Man United’s radar.

The reality and the domino effect of the transfer

To attract stars from Madrid, the prerequisite for Coach Carrick’s team is securing a place in the Champions League next season. This is not only a financial issue but also a key factor in establishing their negotiating position.

Besides the Real Madrid duo, Man Utd has also prepared a quality backup list including Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and former player James Garner. Notably, if the Camavinga and Nico Paz deals are successful, the money earned could help Real Madrid activate the “bomb” signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, creating a major domino effect in the European transfer market.

Although current developments are only at the stage of interest and monitoring, the ambition of the Old Trafford hierarchy is clearly evident. A turbulent summer awaits Manchester United fans as the team is determined to rise back to the top.