Manchester United's Pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni Gains Momentum
Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved a step closer, with wages no longer seen as a barrier to prising the midfielder away from Real Madrid – and Chelsea could yet play a decisive supporting role in the saga.
United have identified Tchouameni as the ideal long-term successor to Casemiro at the base of their midfield, part of a sweeping rebuild designed to give Michael Carrick a group capable of competing with Europe’s elite. A £35 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, while the club wrestles with Tottenham Hotspur over Mateus Fernandes and weighs up Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as an alternative to West Ham’s Fernandes.
The plan is bold: as many as three midfield additions before next season, with the No 6 role the cornerstone. That is where Tchouameni sits, alongside Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, at the top of the recruitment board.
On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined that Tchouameni is a leading target but warned that his current salary at Madrid could complicate any move. That concern has been sharply eased.
Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to pay the 24-year-old handsomely and match his existing terms, removing one of the most common stumbling blocks in modern elite transfers.
“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” Jacobs told The United Stand. “Manchester United would be prepared to make a player like that one of their top earners.
“They’re not in that territory of £300,000 [per week] Rashford, Sancho-type wages, but nor is Tchouameni by the way.
“So I’m not aware that personal terms with Tchouameni would be a problem.”
With salary fears parked, attention turns to Madrid – and what they plan to do with their own midfield.
The European champions are weighing up their next big move in the centre of the pitch, and the identity of their incoming midfielder could open the door for United. Jacobs pointed to one name in particular: Enzo Fernandez.
“The challenge is, what midfielder do Real sign? Is it in Tchouameni’s position? Even if it isn’t, do they bring in enough funds elsewhere, or do they need one big sale to make a play at Enzo Fernandez?” he said.
“Jose Mourinho has said he wants Enzo Fernandez, and this is why talks are expected to begin between Chelsea and Real Madrid.
“So I doubt Man Utd would be walking away from a prospective Tchouameni deal [based] on wages.
“I think they would hold some optimism that if the player genuinely becomes available, it’s a viable move.”
Chelsea’s willingness to discuss Fernandez could be the trigger. Madrid are confident of landing the Argentine, and that ambition may force them into at least one significant outgoing. If Tchouameni becomes the casualty that funds a fresh Galactico, United and Liverpool will be watching closely.
United know the price. An offer in the region of £70 million is expected to be required to tempt Madrid into business – a substantial fee, but one that might look shrewd for a player widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in world football.
If Madrid push ahead for Enzo and decide they need that “one big sale,” United’s long search for a new anchor could come down to a single decision in the Bernabeu boardroom.
