Manchester United Pursues Aurelien Tchouameni Amid Chelsea's Role
Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved a step closer, with wage demands no longer viewed as an obstacle and Chelsea potentially holding the key to unlocking the deal.
United have earmarked the Real Madrid midfielder as their ideal successor to Casemiro as they rip up and rebuild the heart of Michael Carrick’s side. A £35million agreement for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, but that is only the start of an aggressive midfield overhaul that could see as many as three new faces arrive before next season.
Tottenham Hotspur are pushing hard for Mateus Fernandes, another United target, which has forced the Old Trafford hierarchy to widen their options. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has emerged as a serious alternative to West Ham’s Fernandes, while Tchouameni and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are under consideration for the pivotal No 6 role.
On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined just how highly United rate Tchouameni, confirming the France international sits near the top of their list. His salary at Real Madrid was flagged as a major complication, the sort of financial hurdle that can derail even the best-laid transfer plans.
That concern has now eased.
Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to pay Tchouameni at the very top end of their structure, removing one of the main barriers to any agreement.
“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.”
So if the salary is there and the role is clear, what still stands in the way? Real Madrid’s own plans.
Chelsea, Enzo and the domino United need
The European champions are not under pressure to sell, and any move for Tchouameni hinges on what they do next in midfield. That is where Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez enter the story.
“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?” Jacobs 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.”
Real Madrid are confident they can land Fernandez, a stance revealed earlier on Friday, and that belief could force them into at least one significant sale. If Enzo becomes the priority, Tchouameni suddenly looks like the most logical asset to cash in on.
That scenario would not just energise United. Liverpool, long-term admirers of the Frenchman, would also sense an opening. But United’s willingness to go big on wages and their clear need for a long-term No 6 give them a powerful pitch.
The fee will not be light. United are expected to have to put around £70m on the table to tempt Madrid, a figure that reflects both Tchouameni’s stature and the Spanish club’s lack of urgency to sell. For one of the most complete defensive midfielders in the game, though, Old Trafford’s decision-makers may see that as smart business rather than extravagance.
United have identified their anchor. The money is there. The role is there. Now they wait to see if Real Madrid’s chase for Enzo Fernandez turns a long-held admiration into a genuine chance to reshape their midfield around Aurelien Tchouameni.
