Manchester United’s search for a real holding midfielder has been a mess. They brought in Manuel Ugarte to replace Casemiro, and that didn’t work. Now they’re pushing Ugarte out the door too. They already have a $39 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson and talks are open with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, but neither of those guys is a pure defensive midfielder. They’re box-to-box. That’s not the same thing.
Elliott Anderson at Nottingham Forest was the guy United wanted for the anchor role. But he’s about to join Manchester City. So the plan shifted.
According to multiple reports, Aurelien Tchouameni is the dream target. Recruitment director Christopher Vivell has been pushing hard for the Frenchman. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed United’s interest. But here’s where it gets complicated.
Liverpool wants him too. Liverpool and United have both kept lines of communication open with Tchouameni’s camp all summer, per TEAMtalk. Those two clubs are considered the most likely landing spots if he leaves Real Madrid. Arsenal and Chelsea are watching the situation, but neither is as far along as the two northwest rivals.
Tchouameni’s status at Real Madrid changed when Mourinho arrived
Jose Mourinho came in at the request of Florentino Perez, who just won another term as president. Mourinho has already started making changes. He doesn’t see Tchouameni as untouchable the way he sees Federico Valverde or Jude Bellingham. Sources at Old Trafford believe there is a genuine chance Tchouameni leaves Madrid this summer. Real would want around $87 million to let him go. That’s a lot, but it’s cheaper than what teams are asking for Anderson or Sandro Tonali.
The weird part is Tchouameni’s contract runs through 2028, and both he and the club were open to an extension. But Mourinho’s aggressive transfer policy could force a sale if Real needs cash to go after someone like Rodri or Enzo Fernandez.
Xabi Alonso is now at Chelsea. He coached Tchouameni at Real, and the Frenchman played regularly under him. That connection exists. But Chelsea isn’t in the same position as United or Liverpool right now.
United’s hierarchy, led by Jason Wilcox, has monitored Tchouameni for years. They see him as an elite midfielder who could fix the balance of the entire unit. He already proved he can handle the pressure at Real Madrid. That’s exactly what the midfield at Old Trafford needs. INEOS has to move fast if they want to beat Liverpool to this one.
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