Man Utd step up Aurelien Tchouameni pursuit after €234m midfield setback

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Manchester United have held exploratory talks with Real Madrid over a move for Aurelien Tchouameni, according to The Athletic.

BBC Sport understands United want to sign up to two midfielders this summer - irrespective of Ederson’s imminent arrival from Atalanta.

The same publication reported in April that the Red Devils are monitoring Tchouameni as part of their desired midfield revamp.

STATS

Aurélien Tchouaméni

DM, M (C)

Real Madrid

Aurélien Tchouaméni

DM, M (C)

Real Madrid

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 49

  Games

• 2

  Goals

• 2

  Assists

View all stats

And now The Athletic claims United have reached out to Real to ascertain their stance regarding the 26-year-old.

Widespread reports elsewhere understand France international Tchouameni wants to remain with the La Liga giants beyond the summer.

However, Sky Sports claims Real are looking to sanction a big-money sale in order to generate funds for new head coach Jose Mourinho.

Real would prefer to offload Eduardo Camavinga, though he too would prefer to stay at the Bernabeu, according to the same outlet.

United were interested in signing Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes before their respective moves to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur last week.

Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for €135m (£116m), making him the most expensive British player of all time, while Fernandes moved to Spurs from West Ham United for €99m (£85m).

Romano claims United cannot match Tchouameni's current salary

In a separate report, transfers reporter Fabrizio Romano claims United would not be able to match Tchouameni’s current salary at Real, should the two clubs reach an agreement over a transfer.

In a new YouTube video, Romano said: “What I have always said, and what I still maintain today, is that internally at Man United, Tchouameni has always been considered the perfect midfield signing. They see him as a top player with an elite mentality and world-class quality. He is viewed as the ideal replacement for Casemiro.

“The issue comes down to two points. The first is his salary. Tchouameni earns a very high salary at Real Madrid, and Man United have already made it clear to people close to the player during contacts over recent months that the only way a move could happen would be on different financial terms.

“The second issue is Real Madrid. At the moment, Man United have received no green light from Real Madrid to negotiate for Tchouameni. They have not received any indication from Madrid suggesting it is time to sit down and reach an agreement.”

Tchouameni meanwhile is hoping to help France reach the World Cup semi-finals when they face Morocco in the last eight on Thursday.

The former Monaco man missed Les Bleus’ feisty 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16 with a thigh injury.

Tchouameni, who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, has made three appearances so far this tournament.