Manchester United’s summer shopping list keeps getting longer and more expensive. But the club is drawing a line somewhere, and it turns out that line runs right through Aurelien Tchouameni’s bank account.
The France international has been floated as United’s dream midfield target for weeks now. Big name. Big club pedigree. The kind of signing that makes fans forget about the misses on Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes. But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, United has already told Tchouameni’s camp that the only way this deal happens is if he takes a pay cut. A serious one. The 26-year-old is pulling in around €300,000 per week at Real Madrid, bonuses included. That’s the kind of number that makes INEOS’s new wage structure look more like a suggestion than a rule.
Here’s the thing about United’s recent approach. They spent years overpaying for everyone. Players knew it. Agents knew it. The whole league knew it. Now with INEOS calling the shots, the club is trying to flip that reputation. They want to be the team that says no. The problem is that Chelsea is standing right there, ready to say yes.
The Real Madrid Obstacle
Even if Tchouameni agrees to a reduced salary, United still needs permission from Real Madrid to formally negotiate. That hasn’t happened yet. And with Jose Mourinho reportedly having the final say on the player’s future at the Bernabeu, things could get complicated fast. Mourinho is not exactly known for doing United favors.
Tchouameni hasn’t had the kind of season that forces a club to break the bank. He’s been solid but not spectacular for Madrid. Still, he’s 26, French, and has Champions League experience. That combination alone usually commands a premium in this market.
Plan B Options
If the Tchouameni deal fizzles out, United has cheaper alternatives on the list. Tyler Adams and Sander Berge are both being discussed internally. Both players showed up at the World Cup. Both would cost significantly less. Neither would get fans particularly excited, and that’s putting it politely.
The bigger question is whether United can afford to be stubborn about wages right now. The midfield needs a rebuild. Casemiro is past his best, and the younger options haven’t worked out the way anyone hoped. Walking away from a player like Tchouameni over money might look disciplined in the boardroom, but it could look like a missed opportunity when Chelsea swoops in.
For now, the ball is in Tchouameni’s court. Is he willing to take less money to play at Old Trafford? Or does he stay in Madrid and wait for a better offer? United has made its position clear. The rest is up to him.
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