United ready £85m Tchouameni bid as seven-man midfield shortlist takes shape

Manchester United are poised to open talks with Real Madrid over Aurelien Tchouameni, with the club willing to spend in excess of £85m to land the France international midfielder this summer.

According to reports, United are expected to make first contact with Los Blancos within days, though Real Madrid will only sanction a sale if their asking price is met. Tchouameni would also be required to accept a pay cut to facilitate the move, but United are said to be fully prepared to push the deal through should Madrid give the green light.

The pursuit of Tchouameni is just one strand of a busy midfield recruitment drive under manager Michael Carrick, who is targeting reinforcements ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League. United have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta to sign Ederson, though that transfer is awaiting confirmation following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup.

Despite completing that signing, the club’s midfield search continues. United passed on moves for Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, and Elliot Anderson, opting instead for a more measured approach to spending. That has not made the options any cheaper: Bournemouth have placed an £80m valuation on Alex Scott, yet United have not walked away from that pursuit, with reports indicating talks have already taken place. The Cherries are simultaneously pushing to extend Scott’s contract.

A seven-man shortlist has now emerged, per reports in the Sun, featuring Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, Nico Gonzalez, Boubacar Kamara, Habib Diarra, Yasin Ayari, and Jacob Ramsey — a broad mix of profiles and price points.

Attacking depth is also on the agenda. Crysencio Summerville, the Netherlands and West Ham winger, has been linked with a £50m move to Old Trafford, with talks said to be ongoing.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford’s future remains unresolved after the end of his Barcelona loan spell. The England forward is expected to return to United following the World Cup as the club and player work out next steps.

On the outgoings side, goalkeeper Andre Onana has returned to Trabzonspor on a season-long loan, while Casemiro has left the club after his contract expired.