Manchester United Targets Aurelien Tchouameni Amid Chelsea's Role

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved a step closer, with wages no longer viewed as a stumbling block – and Chelsea could yet play an unlikely supporting role in the saga.

United have identified the Real Madrid midfielder as their ideal successor to Casemiro as they attempt a full-scale rebuild in the middle of the pitch. A £35million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, but that is only part of a wider plan. The club are prepared to reshape their entire engine room, with the prospect of up to three new midfield arrivals before next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are threatening to hijack a move for long-term target Mateus Fernandes, prompting United to keep alternative options alive. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is on the list if West Ham’s Fernandes cannot be prised away, while Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Tchouameni are being lined up for the pivotal No 6 role.

On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined what many inside Old Trafford already knew: Tchouameni is high on United’s shortlist, but his current Real Madrid salary loomed as a major obstacle. That concern has now eased.

Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that United are ready to pay the France international at the very top end of their structure.

“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” he 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.”

The real battle, then, lies in Madrid – and in London.

Jacobs outlined how Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez could become central to United’s hopes. Real Madrid are weighing up their next big midfield move, and that decision will dictate Tchouameni’s future.

“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.”

Real Madrid are confident of landing Fernandez, a stance that could have serious consequences for both United and Liverpool, who have also monitored Tchouameni’s situation. If Madrid decide Enzo is their marquee midfield signing, a major sale may be required. Tchouameni instantly becomes the obvious candidate.

United are understood to need a bid in the region of £70m to tempt Madrid into business – a hefty fee, but one that would still represent strong value for a player widely regarded as one of the elite defensive midfielders in world football.

The money is there. The wages are not a problem. Now everything hinges on whether Real Madrid open the door and whether Chelsea’s own upheaval ends up pushing one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders towards Old Trafford.