Real Madrid's pursuit of Mateus Fernandes could free Tchouameni for Manchester United

Manchester United could benefit indirectly from Real Madrid’s transfer activity this summer, with reports suggesting the Spanish club’s pursuit of West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes may accelerate a departure for Aurélien Tchouameni — a player United have also been strongly linked with.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Fernandes is a priority target for Real Madrid, and any deal to bring him to the Bernabéu would likely require an outgoing transfer to fund it. Tchouameni is identified as the most probable candidate to leave, ahead of Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos, with funds raised from his sale earmarked for a replacement.

United manager Michael Carrick is actively seeking midfield reinforcements after the club agreed a deal with Atalanta for Brazil international Ederson. Elliot Anderson has been identified as the primary target, though Manchester City are currently considered the frontrunner for his signature. Arsenal and Tottenham are also in the market for midfielders, adding further competition to United’s recruitment efforts.

Fernandes himself has been directly linked with a move to Old Trafford, having impressed during the season at West Ham before the club’s relegation to the Championship. That drop to the second tier makes his departure from the London Stadium likely, with Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville also expected to attract interest. United have been linked with both players, as well as Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye as an attacking option.

Enzo Fernandez is another name Real Madrid are reportedly considering as a potential Tchouameni replacement, with Los Blancos having already strengthened significantly this window. Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva have all arrived at the club, with Tchouameni currently participating at the World Cup alongside several of his new teammates.

Elsewhere at United, outgoings are also taking shape. Rasmus Hojlund has already completed a permanent move to Napoli, while Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow Casemiro out of the club. The future of Marcus Rashford continues to generate speculation, though a proposed move to Barcelona appears to have cooled following the Catalan club’s signing of Anthony Gordon. Rashford came off the bench to score in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, with his situation expected to be resolved once the World Cup concludes.

Left-back remains another position United are looking to address, with Lewis Hall, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Nathaniel Brown among the names under consideration.