Manchester United Pursues Aurelien Tchouameni Amid Real Madrid's Enzo Fernandez Interest

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved a step closer, with wages no longer viewed as a stumbling block and Real Madrid potentially eyeing Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as their own midfield reshuffle gathers pace.

United have identified Tchouameni as their ideal successor to Casemiro at the base of midfield, a cornerstone piece in a rebuild designed to give Michael Carrick a group capable of matching Europe’s elite. A £35million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, and there is serious talk at Old Trafford of adding up to three midfielders before next season.

The plan is clear. Ederson adds energy and drive. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is on the radar as an alternative to West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who could be heading to Tottenham. For the No 6 role, where United have lacked control and authority, Tchouameni and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are the names at the top of the list.

United's Interest

On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined just how highly United rate Tchouameni, describing him as a leading target but warning that his current Real Madrid salary could complicate any move. That concern has now eased.

Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to go big on the Frenchman’s pay packet.

“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” he told The United Stand. “Manchester United would be prepared to make a player like that one of their top earners.

“They’re not in that territory of £300,000 [per week] Rashford, Sancho-type wages, but nor is Tchouameni by the way.

“So I’m not aware that personal terms with Tchouameni would be a problem.”

The message is blunt: if Real Madrid open the door, United are prepared to walk straight through it.

Real Madrid's Decisions

What happens in Madrid’s own midfield could decide everything. Jacobs pointed to one key domino – Enzo Fernandez.

“The challenge is, what midfielder do Real sign? Is it in Tchouameni’s position? Even if it isn’t, do they bring in enough funds elsewhere, or do they need one big sale to make a play at Enzo Fernandez?” he said.

“Jose Mourinho has said he wants Enzo Fernandez, and this is why talks are expected to begin between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

“So I doubt Man Utd would be walking away from a prospective Tchouameni deal [based] on wages.

“I think they would hold some optimism that if the player genuinely becomes available, it’s a viable move.”

Real Madrid are confident about landing Fernandez, a stance that could shake loose one of Europe’s most coveted holding midfielders and give both United and Liverpool encouragement over Tchouameni’s future.

The numbers are already being sketched out. United are expected to need around £70m to tempt Madrid into selling, a fee that, in today’s market, would represent strong value for a player widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world.

If Madrid cash in to fund a move for Fernandez, United’s long search for a dominant No 6 might finally have its answer.