Real Madrid president rules out Tchouameni sale, leaving United to pursue alternatives

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has been dealt a decisive blow after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed the France international will remain at the club next season. When asked directly whether Tchouameni would stay, Perez told El Pais: “For me, sure.”

United have identified the 26-year-old as a priority target to replace Casemiro in central midfield this summer. Tchouameni had been a key figure in Madrid’s Champions League campaigns since joining the Spanish club, and his profile — a combative, technically assured midfielder — fits the role United are looking to fill.

A training-ground altercation between Tchouameni and teammate Federico Valverde had briefly raised speculation that the Frenchman’s future at the Bernabeu might be in doubt. Both players were fined €500,000 by the club following the incident. However, Perez confirmed that Valverde, too, will remain in Madrid, and Tchouameni himself moved to defuse the situation at a press conference at France’s Clairefontaine training centre on Sunday.

“It was blown out of proportion because it was in the news, and when you play for Real Madrid, that creates a huge reaction,” Tchouameni said. “A lot of nonsense was said in the press. I read that there was a fight and that I had punched him, which wasn’t the case. Fede and I have a common goal: to win titles with Real Madrid. There’s no problem.”

Jose Mourinho is set to be unveiled as Madrid’s new manager on a three-year deal and is expected to retain Tchouameni as part of his squad for his first season back at the club.

With Tchouameni now off the table, United are turning their attention to other midfield targets. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are among the names on their shortlist. The club is also monitoring Mateus Fernandes following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.

Elsewhere in United’s summer business, the club is moving closer to completing the signing of Ederson from Atalanta in what would be their first deal of the window. Despite historical tensions with Madrid — most notably during the tug-of-war over Cristiano Ronaldo in the Sir Alex Ferguson era — United have successfully recruited from the Spanish club in recent years, bringing in Angel Di Maria, Raphael Varane, and Casemiro.