Man Utd or Real Madrid? Tchouameni makes his decision and agrees long-term contract

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Aurelien Tchouameni has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, and now the Real Madrid midfielder has made his final decision over his future.

Rumours that Tchouameni could leave the Bernabeu increased following a clash with team-mate Federico Valverde in the spring that left the Uruguay international needing hospital treatment.

Man Utd were thought to be a leading candidate to sign the former Bordeaux and Monaco midfielder, yet their hopes of signing the 26-year-old broke down for multiple reasons.

Current ETV

Aurélien Tchouaméni

DM, M (C)

Real Madrid

Aurélien Tchouaméni

DM, M (C)

Real Madrid

€63.1M

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.5M

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Tchouameni agrees long-term Real Madrid contract

Tchouameni has agreed a new five-year deal with Real Madrid, which will see him commit his future to the Bernabeu side until 2031, RMC reports.

It states that an agreement has already been reached between the France star, who will reach the 50-cap mark for his country against Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, and Los Blancos.

Although the contract has not yet been signed, this is seen as little more than a formality.

Why Tchouameni will not sign for Man Utd – and what’s next for the Red Devils

Tchouameni was ‘never close’ to joining Man Utd, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Premier League side were unwilling to match Real Madrid’s expectation of a transfer fee around the €130 million mark. On top of this, the player’s wages were not at a level that United found acceptable.

Financially, the deal was therefore a non-starter for United, who are seeking to get value for money in the market.

On top of this, new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho had made it clear that he wanted to retain Tchouameni, despite his clash with Valverde. The Portuguese has been given a key say in Los Blancos’ transfer dealings this summer,

With Tchouameni set to remain at Real Madrid, another big-name midfielder has escaped Michael Carrick’s team, who are still looking to sign a marquee player in the heart of the park to replace the departing Casemiro.

Elliott Anderson had been seen as the dream target but he is destined for Manchester City while Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are other options currently closer to Tottenham and Arsenal respectively.

United have been active in this area of the park, however. Ederson is set to undergo a medical to complete a move from Atalanta for around €40 million while Andrey Santos is close to completing a move from Chelsea, securing a major prospect for the future.

Tchouameni’s decision to stay at Real Madrid, though, leaves United still seeking a big-name arrival, with ongoing doubts over whether owner Ineos will be willing to stump up the kind of money both in transfer fees and wages required to sign a player of proven calibre.