Carrick rules out Leao hijack as United chiefs prepare £85m Tchouameni talks

Michael Carrick has turned down the chance to hijack Tottenham’s pursuit of Rafael Leao, according to reports, even as Manchester United prepare to send club chiefs to Madrid for talks over a potential £85 million move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Leao’s representatives contacted United over a possible move for the AC Milan and Portugal winger, but The Sun reports that Carrick does not view the 25-year-old as a target. The player has previously indicated he would be open to joining Tottenham, with Saudi Pro League clubs and Barcelona also considered potential destinations.

The more pressing business for United appears to be in central midfield. Spanish publication Diario AS reports that Tchouameni is firmly on United’s radar and that club directors will travel to the Spanish capital in the near future to open transfer discussions. Real Madrid are said to sanction sales only above the £85 million threshold, meaning any successful bid for the France international would come at a significant cost.

There is an additional complication: Tchouameni is understood to want to stay at the Bernabeu. However, AS points to the precedent set by recent transfers between the two clubs — Raphael Varane moved from Madrid to Manchester in 2021, followed by Casemiro a year later — as evidence of a working relationship that could help facilitate a deal.

United are also expected to complete the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson, though that move has been delayed by his World Cup involvement and the absence of a medical.

Carrick was handed the Manchester United job on a permanent basis ahead of the summer window, with the club set to return to the Champions League next season. Adding midfield depth and a wide player are understood to be the primary objectives as the transfer market opens.