Manchester United Targets Aurelien Tchouameni Amid Chelsea's Role
Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved up a gear, with wage demands no longer viewed as a roadblock – and Chelsea could yet play an unlikely supporting role in the saga.
United have identified the Real Madrid midfielder as their ideal successor to Casemiro as they prepare a major overhaul in the centre of the pitch. A £35million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, but the club’s rebuild is designed to go far beyond that first step.
There is serious talk at Old Trafford of bringing in as many as three midfielders before next season, a bold attempt to hand Michael Carrick a group capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has emerged as an alternative to West Ham target Mateus Fernandes, while Tchouameni and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are being weighed up for the crucial No 6 role.
On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined that Tchouameni is high on United’s list, while warning that the Frenchman’s sizeable salary could complicate any move. That concern has been swiftly challenged.
Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to go big to get their man.
“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” he 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.”
If the money on the player’s side is lined up, the real battle lies in prising him away from the Bernabeu. That is where Chelsea – and Enzo Fernandez – enter the picture.
Jacobs outlined the key question now facing Real Madrid’s hierarchy.
“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.”
The equation is stark. If Madrid push ahead for Fernandez, they will either need to generate funds or open space in a crowded midfield. Tchouameni, one of the game’s premier holding midfielders, instantly becomes the obvious name rival clubs circle.
Madrid are understood to be confident about landing Fernandez, a stance that not only encourages United but also alerts Liverpool, who have long admired Tchouameni themselves.
United, for their part, know the scale of the investment required. An offer in the region of £70m will be needed to test Madrid’s resolve – a substantial outlay, but one the club may judge as value for a player widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.
If Real Madrid decide Enzo Fernandez is worth a reshuffle, the door swings open. The question now is whether Manchester United are ready to walk straight through it.
