Man United hold Tchouameni talks and table £43m bid for Baturina in midfield overhaul

Manchester United are pursuing a significant midfield overhaul this summer, with the club holding talks over Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and seeing a £43m bid for Croatia international Martin Baturina rejected by Serie A side Como.

United’s need in central midfield has become acute following Casemiro’s departure at the end of last season. While the club have agreed a deal for Brazilian midfielder Ederson, manager Michael Carrick is understood to want further additions as the squad prepares for a Champions League campaign.

Tchouameni talks held

United have previously met with Tchouameni’s representatives, according to reports, with the club looking to understand the 26-year-old’s situation at the Bernabeu. Those conversations reportedly took place before a reported altercation between the France international and Real Madrid teammate Federico Valverde, which has since raised fresh questions about his future in Madrid.

Spanish publication AS reports that Real Madrid, now under new head coach Jose Mourinho, are open to a major midfield sale as part of a broader summer rebuild. Tchouameni is listed among the players who could help the club recoup funds, with Mourinho’s side also reportedly interested in West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes — another player on United’s radar. Madrid have already moved to sign full-backs Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries, and secured free transfers for Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.

Baturina bid rejected

United have also made a concrete move for Como’s Martin Baturina, with an unnamed club — reported to be among the Premier League sides in the running — submitting a £43m offer that Como turned down. Sky Italia has linked United with the 23-year-old, who made 34 appearances for the Italian club last season after joining from Dinamo Zagreb.

Baturina caught wider attention at the World Cup, scoring Croatia’s first goal in a 4-2 defeat to England. He registered eight goals and four assists from an attacking midfield role during his debut Serie A campaign. Aston Villa are also said to be interested, while Bayern Munich and Leeds United have previously been credited with attention.

With the transfer window open and Champions League football to prepare for, United’s business in midfield looks far from finished.