Manchester United's Pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni Gains Momentum

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved a step closer, with wage demands no longer seen as a barrier to a deal – and Chelsea’s midfield saga potentially opening the door even wider.

United have placed the Real Madrid enforcer at the top of their list to succeed Casemiro as the anchor of a rebuilt engine room. A £35million agreement for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, but that is only one part of a broader midfield overhaul being drawn up for Michael Carrick.

There is an aggressive plan on the table: up to three new midfielders before next season, with the club determined to arm Carrick with a group capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is viewed as an alternative to West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who could be heading to Tottenham, while Tchouameni and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are the leading names for the No 6 role.

On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined what many inside Old Trafford already know: Tchouameni is a major target. The concern, Romano warned, lay in his substantial salary at the Bernabeu.

That concern has now eased.

Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to meet the Frenchman’s demands and place him among the club’s top earners, without straying into the Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho bracket.

“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” Jacobs told The United Stand. “Manchester United would be prepared to make a player like that one of their top earners.

“They’re not in that territory of £300,000 [per week] Rashford, Sancho-type wages, but nor is Tchouameni by the way.

“So I’m not aware that personal terms with Tchouameni would be a problem.”

If the salary question is no longer an obstacle, the real battle lies in Madrid’s plans.

Jacobs laid out the key hinge point: what Real Madrid do next in midfield, and whether they push for Enzo Fernandez. If the European champions decide they need a major sale to fund a move for the Chelsea man, Tchouameni could become the obvious sacrifice.

“The challenge is, what midfielder do Real sign? Is it in Tchouameni’s position? Even if it isn’t, do they bring in enough funds elsewhere, or do they need one big sale to make a play at Enzo Fernandez?” Jacobs said.

“Jose Mourinho has said he wants Enzo Fernandez, and this is why talks are expected to begin between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

“So I doubt Man Utd would be walking away from a prospective Tchouameni deal [based] on wages.

“I think they would hold some optimism that if the player genuinely becomes available, it’s a viable move.”

Madrid, for their part, are confident about landing Fernandez, a stance that not only energises United but also gives Liverpool reason to keep a close eye on developments.

For United, the equation is clear. An offer in the region of £70m will be needed to tempt Madrid into business, a fee that could look shrewd if they secure one of the most accomplished defensive midfielders in the game.

The finances line up. The need is obvious. Now it comes down to whether Real Madrid are prepared to cash in on Tchouameni to reshape their own midfield – and whether United are ready to pounce the moment that door opens.