Manchester United set to open £85m talks with Real Madrid for Tchouameni this week

Manchester United are poised to open formal talks with Real Madrid over a potential £85m move for France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to Spanish outlet Diario AS, with initial contact expected before the end of the week.

Real Madrid are understood to be open to selling Tchouameni, but only if their asking price of €100m (£85m) is met in full. The club has been active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Jose Mourinho as manager alongside Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva — a spending spree that has increased pressure to generate income through player sales. Eduardo Camavinga had previously been identified as the most likely departure, but Tchouameni has now emerged as an alternative option.

United manager Michael Carrick is targeting a significant midfield overhaul, and the club’s directors are reportedly prepared to meet Real’s valuation. Tchouameni is currently representing France at the World Cup, though he missed their most recent victory over Paraguay due to a minor injury.

One midfield signing is already in the pipeline. Ederson is still expected to join from Atalanta in a £38m deal despite earlier reports suggesting the move had broken down. With Brazil eliminated from the World Cup, the final details of that transfer are anticipated to be resolved shortly, with the player’s medical set to follow.

United’s pursuit of Tchouameni comes after two of their primary midfield targets moved elsewhere. Manchester City agreed a British transfer record fee of £116m to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, while Mateus Fernandes chose an £85m move to Tottenham.

Alex Scott of Bournemouth is also on United’s shortlist, though Arsenal are competing for the 21-year-old. Interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba appears to have cooled, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is not currently under consideration.