Man United contact Ryerson's camp as Real Madrid soften stance on Tchouameni

Manchester United have made direct contact with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, according to German publication BILD, as the club accelerates its midfield and defensive rebuild ahead of their return to the Champions League.

The 28-year-old Norway international is currently featuring at the World Cup, where his performances have drawn wider attention — including, reportedly, from Old Trafford. Ryerson’s country is scheduled to face England in the quarter-finals on Saturday, and United are said to have had the defender on their radar for some time before renewing that interest during the tournament.

The Ryerson development arrives alongside an encouraging shift in United’s pursuit of Aurélien Tchouaméni. Athletic editor Dean Jones, writing for FlashScore, reports that Real Madrid — who had previously been firm on retaining the 26-year-old France international — are now “opening up” to the prospect of a sale. Tchouaméni has been priced at £85m, and Jones suggests that if Madrid inform the midfielder he is surplus to requirements, he would be receptive to a move to Old Trafford.

Madrid’s stance appears to have softened amid a hectic summer at the Bernabéu. The arrival of José Mourinho has triggered a significant squad overhaul, with Ibrahima Konaté, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries all joining the club, placing pressure on the existing roster.

United’s need for midfield reinforcements has grown more acute in recent weeks. The departure of Casemiro and the long-term absence of Manuel Ugarte have left the squad thin in central areas, and the situation was compounded when primary target Mateus Fernandes opted for a £85m move to Tottenham instead.