Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde, according to a recent report coming out of Spain.

What's the word?

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Red Devils are believed to be willing to splash out around €80m (£72m) in order to sign the Uruguayan at the end of the season, with Erik ten Hag seemingly seeking a long-term fit in the centre of the park.

The report suggests that the Premier League outfit had attempted to sign the 24-year-old last summer and could try again this time around, with the Red Devils able to reunite the playmaker with former teammate, Casemiro, at Old Trafford.

The piece does also go on to add, however, that Los Blancos view the one-time Penarol gem as an 'essential' part of the side moving forward, with Valverde still having just over four years left to run on a contract that includes a staggering €1bn (£856m) release clause.

Eriksen upgrade

Ten Hag and co only recently secured the deadline day capture of Marcel Sabitzer to cover for the injured Christian Eriksen, although in the long-term the former Ajax boss may need to find a possible upgrade on the latter man, with the Dane having arguably endured a dip in performance of late.

The 30-year-old - who signed on a free transfer back in July - had looked 'tired' prior to picking up that recent injury blow, as per Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall, having perhaps been impacted by his regular role in the side after featuring in 31 games already this season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man looked particularly leggy on what was a rare 90-minute outing in the defeat to Arsenal last month, notably losing possession on 20 occasions and being dribbled past twice having struggled in his deep-lying role.

Although the classy playmaker has perhaps unsurprisingly impressed with his creative prowess - as he has two goals and nine assists to his name in all competitions this term - the recent evidence would suggest that he may not be a figure to rely upon week-in, week-out across an entire campaign.

Turning to the more youthful Valverde could well be the energetic upgrade that Ten Hag will be craving, with the "unbelievable" 6-foot dynamo, as lauded by pundit Joe Cole, providing that "box-to-box" presence either in the centre of midfield - or on the flanks if required.

That relentless nature is also illustrated by the fact that he ranks in the top 4% in Europe among those in his position for progressive carries, with Eriksen, by contrast, ranking in just the top 29% in that regard.

Equally, Valverde is also able to offer the benefit of his ability to beat a man when in possession as he ranks in the top 16% for successful take-ons, while the current United man ranks in just the bottom 22% for that same metric.

Someone who is "every bit as good as [Jude] Bellingham", according to Cole, the 47-cap maestro is also able to replicate Eriksen's impact in the final third, having scored eight goals and provided four assists in 30 appearances so far this term.

That seemingly suggests that turning to the Madrid maestro could be a game-changing signing as far as the Red Devils are concerned.