Aurelien Tchouameni: Spanish press split on Man United’s move for Real Madrid star | OneFootball

Manchester United’s pursuit of Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni is turning into the transfer saga of the summer, offering fans a throwback to the hunt to sign FC Barcelona maestro Frenkie de Jong four years ago.

And while a big-money move for the 29-year-old Dutchman ultimately fell through, it remains uncertain whether the Red Devils will be able to pull off a a blockbuster deal for Tchouameni, even with Real Madrid opening the door to an exit – as conflicting reports in the Spanish media illustrate.

The Case for Tchouameni Staying

Earlier today, Madrid-based reporter Miguel Serrano claimed Real Madrid have ruled out the sale of Tchouameni. While there had been suggestions Los Blancos were interested in signing Manchester City maestro Rodri – a natural replacement for the France international – Serrano dismisses this, saying a deal for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is not being pursued.

Spanish outlet Defensa Central mirrored this view, claiming Tchouameni is set to be an “undisputed starter” under Jose Mourinho next season, rejecting the idea that the ‘Special One’ is willing to sacrifice the No.14.

In order to reverse this position, Serrano alleges, Madrid would demand an “exorbitant figure” for their midfielder, with a valuation as high as £154 million – a price which would shatter the British transfer record, currently held by Liverpool with their £125m capture of Alexander Isak.

“Real Madrid is not considering selling Tchouameni. He’s an essential player in the club’s plans and also for Mourinho’s style of play. Real Madrid would only agree to sell Tchouaméni to United if they receive an offer of €180 million (£154m), an exorbitant figure because they don’t want him to leave.”

A report relayed by The Peoples Person corroborates Mourinho’s intention to build his new side around the Frenchman, while a separate update revealed sources at Old Trafford believe the player will remain in the Spanish capital come September.

Fans could be forgiven for feeling disheartened by this pessimistic assessment. But it is only one side of the coin; the other half offers a far more positive outlook on United’s pursuit, with a well-respected Real Madrid expert asserting the Spanish giants would be prepared to do business with their Old Trafford counterparts at a “reasonable price.”

The Case for Tchouameni Going

Spanish journalist José Luis Sánchez, who writes for Marca and is a professor at Villanueva University in Madrid, is widely considered one of the best sources for LaLiga updates, particularly those involving Real Madrid.

On the topic of Tchouameni’s future at the Bernabeu, Sánchez states: “The main team interested in him [Tchouameni]…is Manchester United. United are going to come to Madrid to talk. I don’t know if it’s this week or when the World Cup is over, but United will go.

“Manchester United have been Madrid’s best customer with Varane and Casemiro. The feeling is Manchester United is not one of the clubs that mess around with money when it comes to Madrid. [They] would be willing to sell Tchouameni to Manchester United for a reasonable price. I’ve told you and maintain that almost all players, if not all, have a price at Real Madrid.”

This is supported by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, which reveals Madrid are “open” to proposals for Tchouameni in order to fund a pursuit of one of their priority targets in midfield. United are “prepared to offer a substantial sum to both Real Madrid and the player to finalise the deal” – with Marca reporter Sergio Valentín claiming the Spanish giants have given their “green light to the transfer.” A bid in the region of €100 million (£85m) is mentioned.

Earlier today, there was an update from AS editor Jose Felix Diaz, in which he revealed United had tabled a five-year contract offer to Tchouameni with a “very good” salary. A previous report by Fabrizio Romano detailed that INEOS had communicated to the player’s camp he would have to accept a different wage packet than his existing one, suggesting a compromise may have been reached between the two parties.

Final Thoughts

Alongside FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United are unquestionably the two biggest teams in world football. Any hint of a big-money transfer between them will spark a tidal wave of reports, arguing both in favour of and against the prospective deal. Cutting through the noise is a difficult task, but putting faith in reliable sources over click-bait merchants is the path towards clarity.

The Athletic, the gold standard for transfer news, contends Madrid are prioritising sales to help fund new recruits, with United “ready” to move for Tchouameni if afforded the opportunity. Sánchez, an excellent source in the Spanish capital, corroborates this viewpoint, overruling the more sensationalist offerings of Serrano and a £154 million asking price.

While INEOS can be accused of many things, the hierarchy in M16 have proven they are no mugs in the transfer market, willing to pull out of deals that prove exorbitant – such as Elliot Anderson or Mateus Fernandes – or press ahead with targets they believe are worth paying the piper for, like Benjamin Sesko or Leny Yoro.

The fact that United remain in the race for Tchouameni suggests the quiet optimism well-placed sources are offering is matched along the corridors of power at Old Trafford. If, and that is a big if, any club in Europe is going to sign the Frenchman, it looks certain to be the Red Devils.

Featured image Dan Mullan via Getty Images

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