Man Utd handed dream chance to sign the perfect Casemiro replacement

Updated: 7 May 2026 14:19 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Manchester United have been handed the perfect opportunity to sign Aurelien Tchouameni following his bust-up with Real Madrid team-mate Federico Valverde ahead of El Clasico this weekend.

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Los Blancos travel to Camp Nou to face their arch-rivals Barcelona on Sunday night, but the build-up to the clash has been marred by infighting amongst several members of the Real Madrid squad.

Current ETV

Aurélien Tchouaméni

M, DM (C)

Real Madrid

Aurélien Tchouaméni

M, DM (C)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€62.5M - €76.4M

Kylian Mbappe was involved in a flare-up with one member of the club’s backroom staff during a training session, while he has angered his peers with his conduct, Antonio Rudiger is reportedly understood to have slapped Alvaro Carreras, and several members of the squad have refused to speak to head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

In addition, Spanish outlet Marca report that Tchouameni and Valverde were involved in “one of the most heated exchanges ever seen” at Real Madrid’s training ground on Wednesday.

It’s claimed that the incident was sparked by a foul in training, with the two players initially pushing each other before engaging in a fiery argument that continued into the changing room.

A fresh report from Marca has now claimed that Tchouameni and Valverde came to blows again on Thursday, with the Uruguay international forced to go to hospital as a result of the latest incident.

Neither player has publicly responded to reports of their bust-up, but tension at Real Madrid is at an all-time high and Los Blancos officials could be forced to oversee a major squad overhaul this summer in order to restore the peace.

Given Valverde is Real Madrid’s vice-captain, they are extremely unlikely to offload him this summer, meaning Tchouameni would be the player sold if they take extreme action following the conclusion of the season.

© IMAGO - Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid

Aurelien Tchouameni: Man Utd’s replacement for Casemiro?

Casemiro has confirmed that he will leave Man Utd upon the expiration of his contract in July and the club are currently scouring the market for a suitable replacement.

Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is understood to have been identified as their dream target, but he is expected to cost in excess of €120 million, which is far beyond the €93m (£80m) they have set aside to spend on their first-choice midfield signing.

As a result, a number of alternatives have been earmarked, including the likes of Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Gomes, Sandro Tonali and Tchouameni.

The Frenchman has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for several years and he has once again been sounded out as a possible target ahead of this summer.

A deal was expected to be complicated before his bust-up with Valverde, given his importance to Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants may now be more amenable to a sale, which could open the door for Man Utd to swoop.

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