Man Utd are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni this summer and they are showing ambition in what is a key transfer search.
Aurelien Tchouameni
Manchester United are interested in signing Aurelien Tchouameni this summer
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Manchester United's chances of signing Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni could hinge on whether the Spanish giants land a big-name replacement, with Rodri and Enzo Fernandez among the players being courted by the La Liga giants.
United are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a new No.6 this summer, and their interest in Tchouameni, 26, is a sign of the ambition being shown at Old Trafford to sign a replacement for Casemiro.
Real don't currently intend to sell the France international, but they are planning to bring in their own midfield reinforcements this summer. They hold a long-standing interest in Rodri, who will enter the final year of his Manchester City deal this summer and has expressed a desire to play for Real one day.
President Florentino Perez is understood to be a big fan of the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, who picked up a groin injury in City's crucial win against Arsenal at the weekend. Rodri turns 30 in June but has returned to something approaching his best form recently after overcoming a serious knee injury.
Fernandez has also cast doubt on his future at Chelsea. The Argentine was dropped for two games by Liam Rosenior for comments he made during the March international break, but the club's collapse in form means sales are now expected at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea recently posted record losses and a run of just one win in nine Premier League games, with five successive defeats, has all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Fernandez cut a forlorn figure as he stood in front of the away end at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night after his side had lost 3-0 to Brighton.
Should Real land one of their top targets in midfield, it is likely to lead to a departure. Eduardo Camavinga is one player they could look to sell to fund a deal, but Tchouameni would bring in a bigger transfer fee and United are ready to capitalise if Real suggest they are open to a deal. The World Cup winner has two years left on his contract at the Bernabeu.
The interest in Tchouameni is a statement of intent from United, who are prepared to push the boat out in their search for a No.6 this summer and are ready to show ambition in the transfer market.
They remain keen in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but are expected to face competition from Manchester City for the 23-year-old. With Forest on course for Premier League survival, the fee for the England international could end up being close to £100million.
United want to sign at least two midfielders this summer and could move for a third if Manuel Ugarte departs. They are one of several clubs monitoring Wolves' Brazilian international Joao Gomes and Bournemouth's Alex Scott.