United target Tchouameni as Scott spurns Bournemouth contract to fuel £85m chase

Manchester United are targeting Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni this summer, with the Frenchman valued at £85m, as the club looks to fill the void left by Casemiro ahead of a return to Champions League football.

Speculation has grown around a possible move for Tchouameni after reports emerged that contact has been established between the two clubs. Former AC Milan and Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly believes his compatriot would relish the switch to England.

“I’m sure Aurélien Tchouameni would move to the Premier League and Manchester United is still a massive club; a massive name,” Desailly told Sportscasting.com. “He had a difficult season, but at least he shows leadership. I believe that he has that little bit of leadership and the desire to bring the team all together. So it could be a good move for him.”

United’s midfield recruitment has already hit one obstacle this window after their pursuit of Mateus Fernandes ended with the Portuguese signing for Tottenham in an £85m deal. Attention has since shifted firmly towards Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who MEN Sport understands is the most likely centre-midfield target at Old Trafford.

Scott, 21, has now turned down several contract proposals from Bournemouth, according to The Athletic, despite the Cherries’ desire to keep him and extend his current deal, which runs until 2028. Earlier reports indicated the Guernsey-born midfielder would welcome a move to United, and his refusal to commit to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium will be seen as an encouraging signal at Old Trafford.

Bournemouth are not willing sellers and have made clear they want Scott to remain, but his stance on fresh terms hands United a degree of leverage as the summer window progresses.

Signing Ederson from Atalanta is expected to be completed imminently, but United view a second midfield addition as essential to Michael Carrick’s squad-building plans as the club prepares to compete on multiple fronts next season.