Manchester United could steal Eduardo Camavinga from under the noses of Real Madrid because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports. It is suggested that the virus being prevalent at this moment in time could be the main thing that stops the Spanish side from signing the player as normally, the club would have pounced by now.

However, the financial markets are going to be unknown after the pandemic has ceased, however long it may disappear for is unknown, which makes clubs scared of making deals for players, presumably. It could be that Real Madrid have little money because of this, meaning another club making a move could be fruitful.

United were linked with the 17-year-old midfielder earlier in the week with the suggestion that he could be a good replacement for French FIFA World Cup winning midfielder Paul Pogba if he does actually leave the Old Trafford club this summer, as has been suggested. However, Real Madrid see the player as a replacement for Pogba too – frugal.

The teenager is one of the most exciting young players in Europe at this time and has the likes of Barcelona, as well as Madrid interested in him, two clubs United are prepared to go to battle with to sign the player, if they need to. Spanish news source, Marca has suggested that the Los Blancos would have already signed the player if it was not for COVID-19.

Camavinga is said to be interested in signing for the Madrid club but understand that he will need to wait until the financial uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic are over, which could be months or years. However, if he dreams of playing for a bigger club than Rennes, and United made a move, would be turn it down to wait for Madrid?

That is a question only he could answer, but there is something exciting happening at Old Trafford under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even if the agenda-driven like-merchants on Twitter think he is a fraud. There is a growing belief that Solskjaer is the right man to lead the club out of the darkness – something I believe myself.

The 17-year-old signed a new contract at Rennes last summer which will expire in the summer of 2022 but a report earlier in the week suggested that he was ‘seriously considering‘ leaving the French club during the next transfer window, which will almost certainly be delayed this summer being that the season has not been completed.

Rennnes finished third in Ligue 1 after it was cancelled this season, meaning they will qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. If he was to change clubs this summer, he might demand Champions League football, which at this moment in time is not something that United could guarantee, although they have a good chance of qualifying.

There does not seem to be a release clause in the contract of Camavinga but it has been previously reported that £52 million could be the asking price for the player, although that could yet be reduced because of the coronavirus with United seemingly having to lower their demands for Pogba, which was £150 million last summer, now £100 million.

Real Madrid have reportedly made the first contact with Rennes teenage sensation Eduardo Camavinga, according to reports. Manchester United have been linked with the player but it is unknown as to whether the interest is concrete. The Spanish club see Camavinga as the ideal player to sign instead of United midfielder Paul Pogba.

It is suggested that Pogba will remain at United at least for another year because of the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that the UEFA European Championships has been postponed until next summer, which could put the player in the shop window, despite him entering the final year of his contract this summer, although another year could be added.

Spanish news source, AS, has reported that Real Madrid chief scout Juni Calafat has been in touch with the Angolan-born midfielders representatives. The teenager only signed a new contract with Rennes last summer, which would keep him at the French club until the summer of 2022 but reports suggest the player is thinking about leaving.

Los Blancos manager, Zinedine Zidane is said to be a huge admirer of the 17-year-old, which is reason to believe that the club have made the first move for the player – it would make sense, especially in the fact that the club will be seeking to reinforce the midfield during the next transfer window, seemingly getting the squad ready for the new season.

Rennes ended up finishing in third-place in Ligue 1 this season which will put them into the UEFA Champions League next season. This came after the French Government suspended all sporting events until later in the year which ended up cancelling the current Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons. It could also be an opportunity for the player to have a fresh start.

It is suggested that there is no release clause in the contract of the 17-year-old but a price tag of around £52 million has been reported on numerous occasions. However, this was before the coronavirus pandemic stopped world football, so a lesser fee could well be negotiated. Whoever is interested in the player could get a bargain.

The teenager has made a total of 36 appearances for Rennes this season, playing in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Europa League. He has scored one goal this season, also adding two assists, playing a total of 2,783 minutes of football before the season was suspended then cancelled.

The Spanish club may have a fight on their hands for Camavinga with United, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain all said to be interested in the teenager this summer, or whenever the transfer window opens. PSG have seen the player this season when Rennes beat them 2-1 and the player becoming the youngest player to assist a goal in the league.

Camavinga also became the first player born after the 1 January 2000 to play in one of Europes top five leagues after he played against AS Monaco in May 2019. The 17-year-old plays in a position that United need to strengthen in sooner rather than later, also fitting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s age profile with him wanting to build a young team to strive for glory.