Manchester United's pursuit of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been dealt a significant setback as the France international is poised to sign a new contract with Real Madrid, extending his stay in Spain until 2031. The reported agreement comes amid ongoing discussions between Tchouameni's representatives and Manchester United, though financial considerations had always presented a substantial hurdle.
The 26-year-old's current contract with Real Madrid was set to expire in 2028. This potential new deal marks another blow for Manchester United in the current transfer window. While the club has secured an agreement for Brazilian player Ederson from Atalanta, they have missed out on other targets, including England international Elliot Anderson, who joined rivals Manchester City for £116 million, and West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, who transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for £85 million.
Manchester United has also agreed to a £50 million deal with Chelsea for midfielder Andrey Santos, although it remains unclear if Santos was a primary target for the club. The team has been actively seeking to strengthen its midfield following the departure of Casemiro as a free agent.
Tchouameni has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid. Last season, he was involved in an altercation with teammate Federico Valverde. The incident reportedly escalated from a verbal dispute to a physical confrontation, resulting in Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a cut forehead sustained when hitting his head on a table. Reports indicate that Valverde had refused to shake Tchouameni's hand, and tensions flared further during a training session where Valverde made increasingly aggressive challenges. The situation is believed to have become physical in the dressing room, with Valverde allegedly insulting Tchouameni before being struck. The confrontation led to Valverde hitting a table, causing an injury that briefly led to a loss of consciousness, causing concern among teammates.
Manchester United has yet to officially announce any new signings this summer, and several players, including Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Tyrell Malacia, have departed the club.