Real Madrid open door to Tchouameni exit as Manchester United target midfield rebuild

Manchester United’s hopes of signing Aurelien Tchouameni have received a significant lift after Real Madrid indicated they are prepared to let the France international leave the Santiago Bernabéu this summer, according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari of SportItalia. The 26-year-old has been identified as a priority target as United look to reshape their midfield following Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract.

Despite Real’s willingness to sell, the report notes that Tchouameni himself would prefer to remain in Madrid, which could complicate any potential deal. The midfielder’s exit may nonetheless be accelerated by incoming Real manager Jose Mourinho’s reported desire to sign Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, with Tchouameni potentially needing to be moved on to free up funds and a squad place for the Argentine.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt has publicly backed the club to pursue the signing. “He’s still my main target for midfield,” Butt said. “I think he’s powerful, aggressive, everything that Man United need in a midfielder.” Butt added that he would have no reservations about bringing Tchouameni to Old Trafford unless something significant emerged to change his assessment.

United’s midfield recruitment has taken several turns in recent weeks. The club have withdrawn from the race to sign Elliot Anderson after Manchester City submitted a bid exceeding £120 million for the 23-year-old, a valuation United’s hierarchy are unwilling to match. Anderson had been considered a viable option before City’s offer effectively ended United’s interest.

Elsewhere, United are monitoring West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who is expected to leave the London club following their relegation to the Championship. More concretely, Ederson confirmed at the weekend that his move to Old Trafford is “almost all sorted”, with United having agreed a deal with Atalanta earlier this month. The Brazilian is set to become Michael Carrick’s first signing since taking the manager’s role.