Aurelien Tchouameni #8 of France
Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images
Aurelien Tchouameni is not expected to leave Real Madrid this summer. Let’s be clear.
However, according to journalist Miguel Serrano, as relayed in Defensa Central, there is one scenario that could force the club to reconsider, and they already know who they would look to as his replacement.
The French midfielder has been the subject of speculation in recent months, with Manchester United among the clubs keeping an eye on his situation.
Real Madrid, however, have no intention of opening the door for Tchouameni after his recent contract renewal.
That is the current position at Valdebebas.
But transfer plans can change quickly when extraordinary money enters the conversation, and Serrano claims that Real Madrid would only consider selling the Frenchman if an offer arrives that is simply too large to ignore.
And should that unlikely situation unfold, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has emerged as the preferred option to take his place.
Tchouameni stays – unless the offer changes everything
Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid
Real Madrid are not actively looking to sell Tchouameni. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
The key detail in this story is that Real Madrid are not actively considering a Tchouameni sale.
His future has generated speculation throughout the summer, particularly because of reported interest from Manchester United.
Yet Real Madrid’s stance appears to be clear: the midfielder remains part of their plans and his recent contract renewal only strengthens that position.
Miguel Serrano summed up the situation by saying, “Real Madrid isn’t considering letting Tchouameni leave unless they receive an irresistible offer, and their top target is Adam Wharton.”
That leaves very little room for interpretation.
Real Madrid are not looking to sell. They are not searching for a replacement. And Wharton is not being pursued because the club expects Tchouameni to walk out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Instead, the English midfielder appears to be part of a contingency plan.
Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace player
Adam Wharton would be Tchouameni’s replacement at Real Madrid. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Serrano also explained the scale of the offer that would be needed to change Real Madrid’s mind: “if a team goes crazy and pays a fortune, they’ll let him go.”
In other words, the Frenchman would only become available if an offer exceeds the amount paid for Yan Diomande, making such a proposal difficult to imagine.
Wharton is the name waiting in the background
This is where Wharton enters the picture.
Real Madrid have identified the Crystal Palace midfielder as their preferred option if Tchouameni were to leave.
Notably, the Real Madrid squad already has significant depth in midfield, and adding another major signing without making space could create more problems than solutions.
A Tchouameni departure, on the other hand, would change the equation immediately and Wharton would then become a possible replacement rather than another expensive addition.
For now, though, that remains a hypothetical scenario.
Real Madrid new signing Carlos Espi.
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Real Madrid moved in total secrecy to secure the signing of Carlos Espi from Levante after agreeing an exit for Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham.
It came as quite a surprise to everyone, as there was absolutely no news about the deal until the Spaniard was unveiled as a new striker for Los Blancos.
Now, according to The Athletic, Real Madrid went to extraordinary lengths to keep the signing of Espi under wraps, with everyone involved in the €25 million operation instructed not to reveal what was happening.
Madrid demanded “extreme discretion” while working on the deal for the 21-year-old Levante striker.
The secrecy was so strict that Espi’s father, Juanjo, was unable to tell even close members of his own family about his son’s impending move.
Real Madrid wanted Espi deal kept completely secret
Espi’s father later admitted that keeping such significant news hidden had been extremely difficult.
He could not discuss the transfer with his mother, his brother or practically anyone else before Madrid finally announced the deal on 30 July.
That explains why there was remarkably little reporting around Espi despite Madrid preparing to pay his €25 million release clause.
Carlos Espi of Real Madrid
Real Madrid signed Carlos Espi for €25 million (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
The Spanish striker had attracted interest elsewhere after an impressive breakthrough campaign with Levante.
Brighton were among the clubs seriously considering a move, while teams from Germany and Italy had also been monitoring him.
However, Madrid’s arrival effectively settled the matter from the player’s perspective. Jose Mourinho played a key role in making it happen.
The Portuguese coach personally contacted Espi and explained the role he could have in his squad, with Madrid specifically looking to add a more traditional centre-forward.
Why Madrid moved for Espi
At 6ft 4in, Espi offers a profile Madrid otherwise lack in attack.
His physical presence and threat from set pieces became particularly important for Levante last season, when he scored 11 goals after Luis Castro’s arrival and helped the club avoid relegation.
His emergence was significant enough for Espi to enter consideration for Spain’s preliminary World Cup squad, although he ultimately missed out on the final selection.
Carlos Espi of Real Madrid
Real Madrid kept the Carlos Espi deal total secret. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
The €25 million transfer made Espi the most expensive academy product Levante have ever sold. Only Jefferson Lerma has left the club for a larger overall fee.
Espi understands his role
Espi understands that immediate opportunities may be limited. Kylian Mbappe remains Madrid’s attacking reference, while Endrick is also expected to stay until at least January.
His task will therefore be to offer Mourinho something different rather than immediately compete to become the first-choice striker.
The early signs have nevertheless been encouraging. Espi scored his first unofficial Madrid goal shortly after arriving, finding the net in the 2-1 pre-season victory over Ferencvaros.
There are certain game states where Madrid and Mourinho will undoubtedly need him, and if he can step up in such situations, more minutes are bound to come.
More importantly, for such a young striker, simply having the chance to share the dressing room with Kylian Mbappe could be career-changing.
Espi will hope to be a sponge and absorb as much as he can from Jose, Mbappe and the rest of the Madrid superstars.