Aurélien Tchouaméni is Manchester United’s big transfer target this summer. Now it is reported that Real Madrid have decided to sell the Frenchman – to finance the pursuit of Rodri.
Rodri, who recently won the World Cup with Spain, has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad. City want to keep him, but the 30-year-old is reportedly keen to return to Spain – where he left Atlético Madrid for England in 2019.
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According to Sky Sports News, Real have now made contact with City and are willing to pay between £43 million and £51 million to bring him to the Bernabéu.
Mourinho rebuilds with routine
Real Madrid’s renewal under José Mourinho has so far been about routine. Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries have all signed for the club.
Rodri – a Ballon d’Or winner and now both European and world champion – will be the big signing of the summer, along with the expected transfer of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who is priced at over £100 million.
To finance these purchases, Real will have to sell players. Now, The Sun reports that they are willing to let go of the French international Tchouaméni – who Manchester United have had in their sights all summer.
United’s midfield renewal
United are in the midst of a midfield revamp under new manager Michael Carrick. They have already spent over £70m on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but need a third reinforcement in midfield.
Tchouaméni has been heavily linked with United all summer. ESPN reported earlier this month that the 26-year-old had signed a new contract with Real until 2031 – but no official confirmation has been forthcoming.
Instead, The Sun now claims that Real are “ready to sell” Tchouaméni, after receiving signals of “strong” interest from United.
Mourinho – who reportedly wanted to keep the Frenchman before Rodri became available – now looks set to sell a player directly to the club he himself managed between 2016 and 2018.
United’s summer so far
United’s activity this summer means that a transfer for Tchouaméni – who Real bought from Monaco for £68m in 2022 – is likely to be manageable.
In: Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow (Academy), Tynan Thompson (Academy), Kit Margetson (Academy).
Out: Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia (free), Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli, £38 million), André Onana (Trabzonspor, loan).
United have also released a reported £600,000 in weekly wages by getting rid of Casemiro and Sancho.
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