Manchester United’s summer pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni is shaping up to be the kind of transfer saga that reminds you how little clarity actually exists until a deal is done. Real Madrid have left the door cracked open for the French midfielder, but the Spanish press can’t agree on whether it’s a crack or a slam shut.
Miguel Serrano, a Madrid-based reporter, insists Los Blancos have no intention of selling. According to him, new manager Jose Mourinho views the 26-year-old as an essential piece of the rebuild, and the club would only entertain an offer in the neighborhood of $195 million. That’s a number that would shatter the British transfer record, currently held by Liverpool’s $157 million move for Alexander Isak. The message? We don’t want to sell, and if you push the issue, you’ll pay an absurd premium.
Defensa Central backed that up, claiming Tchouameni is penciled in as an undisputed starter under Mourinho. But here’s where it gets messy.
The Other Side of the Coin
Jose Luis Sanchez, a well-respected Real Madrid expert who writes for Marca and teaches at Villanueva University, tells a different story. He says United are the main team interested and that the club’s Old Trafford brass will head to Madrid to negotiate, either this week or after the World Cup. Sanchez notes Madrid have a history of doing business with United, pointing to the Varane and Casemiro deals, and believes the Spanish giants would sell Tchouameni for what he calls a reasonable price. His takeaway: almost every player at Real Madrid has a price tag.
Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan outlet, echoes that sentiment. They report Madrid are open to proposals for Tchouameni to help fund other midfield targets. United are ready to offer a substantial fee — somewhere around $107 million — and the player has reportedly been shown a five-year contract with a very good salary. Marca’s Sergio Valentin even says Madrid have given the green light to the transfer.
Who Do You Trust?
The Athletic, which sets a high bar for transfer reporting, says Madrid are prioritizing sales to raise funds, and United are ready to move if the chance opens up. That aligns with Sanchez’s outlook, not Serrano’s. And given that INEOS has shown willingness to walk away from deals that feel inflated, the fact United are still in the mix suggests they see a realistic path here.
Fabrizio Romano reported earlier that INEOS told Tchouameni’s camp he’d need to accept a different wage than his current setup. That sounds like two sides talking numbers, not just kicking tires.
What It All Means
If any club is actually going to pull this off, it looks like United. They’ve been Madrid’s best customer for years. They have the cash. And the noise from reliable Spanish sources is more yes than no. But this is Real Madrid we’re talking about. Nothing is certain until the paperwork lands.
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