Liverpool set to lose dream player to Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United could be about to sign one of Liverpool's dream players. That's certainly a blow.

The Telegraph reports that Manchester United are ready to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid if the Spanish side decide to sell. And they may well do - all reports after their UEFA Champions League exit to Bayern Munich suggest they want to rebuild their midfield.

United are looking for someone to replace the last defensive midfielder they signed from Real Madrid, Casemiro. And who better to do that than the defensive midfielder who replaced him at Real Madrid?

But it’s something that would be a blow to Liverpool. The Reds have long hoped to sign Tchouameni and battled Real Madrid back in 2022 to get him.

The midfielder himself has confirmed that, doing so in an interview with Le Parisien later that year. Liverpool have always maintained an interest but it appears the timing isn’t right.

We do expect the Reds to sign a midfielder this summer but it’s unlikely to be an out-and-out holding player like Tchouameni. Someone like Adam Wharton seems a lot more likely at this stage.

Instead, they may need to watch as the Frenchman signs for Manchester United. It would be a tough one to take, certainly - but football just works out that way sometimes.

Aurelien Tchouameni: Situation Summary

Real Madrid Consistency and European Exit

As of 21 April 2026, Aurélien Tchouaméni remains a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s midfield, described as one of the club's "most consistent performers" during a tumultuous season. The 26-year-old Frenchman has made 41 appearances across all competitions, recording two goals and two assists while maintaining an elite 93% pass completion rate. Despite his individual form, he missed the critical second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich due to a one-match suspension. In his absence, Madrid suffered a 2–0 defeat (6–4 on aggregate), leading to their continental exit and sparking internal debates regarding the squad's future direction under managers Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Transfer Shortlist and Manchester United Interest

Tchouaméni’s future in Spain has become a major talking point as he enters the final two years of his contract. Reports on 21 April 2026 reveal that Manchester United have placed him at the top of their shortlist to replace the outgoing Casemiro. While Real Madrid reportedly prefer to partner Tchouaméni with a new signing—such as Manchester City’s Rodri—the club may consider significant offers to fund their own rebuild. Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation closely, though Madrid's hierarchy is said to be more open to selling Eduardo Camavinga first. Currently valued at approximately €75 million, Tchouaméni is expected to be a primary figure for France at this summer’s 2026 World Cup.