Manchester United haven't given up on signing Aurelien Tchouameni and the Real Madrid star is one of two midfielders back on the club's radar. A move for Tchouameni looked off the cards after the Frenchman reportedly agreed to a new contract that expires in 2031. The La Liga giants haven't officially announced the extension but he is believed to have put pen to paper.
Even with the 26-year-old seemingly wanting to stay put at the Estadio Bernabeu, United are still checking whether there's a possibility Madrid could sell. He had been one of Michael Carrick's top targets to replace Casemiro following the Brazilian's departure. A report from club insider Sully on X asserts that United have spoken to Madrid in recent days to make"Standard enquiries".
He suggested that INEOS want to make sure that a deal for Tchouameni is now"Fully impossible." Tchouameni isn't the only one mentioned, though, as Eduardo Camavinga is included in the reported talks between the two clubs. The French midfielder insisted earlier this summer that he intends to stay at the Bernabeu, but he isn't a guaranteed starter.
United are planning to make one more midfield signing following the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. A holding midfielder is the priority and both Tchouameni and Camavinga fit the profile. Several disappointing displays, including in the Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, saw him faulted, and he missed out on a place in France's squad for the World Cup.
Tchouameni joined his fellow countryman in the Spanish capital in July 2022 when he headed to Madrid from AS Monaco in a £85m deal. He remains a key man in midfield, but Jose Mourinho is eyeing Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, which could mean a major-name midfielder makes way. United's recruitment team deserve recognition for not being rash and swooping for a Tchouameni alternative if they believe there is still a possibility of landing him.
Depending on the response they were given, perhaps that's why they have yet to make a concrete move for Manu Kone. The AS Roma man emerged as a prime target after the club pulled out of a deal for Atalanta's Ederson due to medical issues. Italian media claimed that the Red Devils were preparing a £47m bid but that hasn't happened amid revisiting possible deals for Tchouameni or Camavinga.
United hold a good relationship with the Spaniards after buying Raphael Varane in 2021 and Casemiro a year later. That could be working in their favour as they try to make a marquee third summer signing. INEOS have succeeded in keeping their transfer activity as quiet as possible.
Tielemans' arrival came out of nowhere, and perhaps they are in the midst of trying to pull off a similarly stunning signing.