Ferdinand urges Tchouameni to snub Real Madrid and seal Manchester United move

Rio Ferdinand has made a direct on-air appeal to Aurelien Tchouameni, insisting the Real Madrid midfielder should choose Manchester United if he decides to leave the Bernabéu this summer.

Speaking on his Rio Presents show, the former United and England defender addressed Tchouameni personally: “If Tchouameni has half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man United have to be the first team at their door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered.”

Ferdinand went further, speaking directly to the camera: “I know you watch the show, I’m looking down the lens right now at you. Behind these shades, there is only one club for you man. If you are looking to leave Real Madrid, Man United are the club. If you want to make it happen, make the call.”

Co-host Joel Beya interjected with a pitch of his own — “If not, you can always come to Arsenal, just asking” — only for Ferdinand to dismiss the suggestion outright.

The public appeal comes amid reports that United could find a route to Tchouameni if Real Madrid pursue Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, with The Athletic noting that a concrete move for the Argentine could free up the 26-year-old Frenchman. SportItalia has reported that Madrid are open to letting Tchouameni leave, though the player himself is said to be keen on remaining at the club.

Tchouameni’s wages — reported at £210,000 a week — represent a significant hurdle, and Transfermarkt values the Champions League winner at around £60m, a figure that could rise if United table a formal offer.

The midfielder would not be the first member of Madrid’s midfield to make the move to Old Trafford. Casemiro joined United in 2022 and won two domestic cups before departing, a precedent Ferdinand appears to believe Tchouameni should follow.

Tchouameni is not the only central midfielder on United’s radar this summer. Atalanta’s Ederson looks set to complete a move to Old Trafford after stating the deal is “almost all sorted,” with United having agreed a fee of an initial £35m plus £3.8m in add-ons. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has also re-emerged as a target ahead of what is shaping up to be a busy window for the club.