- Manchester United shortlist Real Madrid star
- Two Madrid players are linked with United
- How likely is Aurelien Tchouameni to be on the move?
With Manchester United linked with Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, an old exchange between the Frenchman and former United centre-back Raphael Varane has resurfaced.
At 26, Tchouameni is entering his prime, yet Madrid may look to cash in as they attempt to make room for Manchester City star Rodri. The Madrid midfielder remains an integral cog in France’s World Cup ambitions this summer, with hopes of adding yet another honour to his cabinet.
Any move for a new midfielder hinges on an outgoing, with Madrid needing to offload at least one option before reinvesting. Eduardo Camavinga has already drawn interest from a host of clubs—including United—but Tchouameni now appears to be another who could face the chopping block.
Madrid reportedly hold Rodri in high regard—his Atletico Madrid past seemingly irrelevant—whilst Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez is doing everything short of running to Los Blancos as he attempts to force a move to the Spanish behemoths.
As a result, Real appear willing to consider offers for both Camavinga and Tchouameni as they look to raise funds and reshape their midfield.
Varane Told Tchouameni he has ‘No Regrets’
Appearing on the French football podcast The Bridge hosted by Tchouameni, Varane spoke to the midfielder about his time at Manchester United and how he joined the club:
“It was actually a long process. It’s not like you wake up in the morning and say I want to leave.”
He alluded to his success at Madrid:
“In 2018, I won everything; in fact, we celebrated our fourth Champions League title quickly. It was like a normal thing, the next step is to win the Champions League and think about the next one.
He added:
“Madrid is indescribable. It’s exceptional, but I’ve already experienced it. And I said to myself, I want to experience something else. For me, England, and Manchester in particular, is where you feel the passion for football, you feel it, you live it every day. Now that some time has passed, I have no regrets because it was an incredible experience.”
Despite this story first cropping up a little under a year ago, it has been made fresh as United have Tchouameni featuring “prominently” on their shortlist, as they look to replace the departing Casemiro this summer.
Another Midfield Option
There remains a sizeable portion of the Manchester United fanbase who will not want to part ways with Casemiro when his contract expires on 30 June. Whilst his time has resembled something of a rollercoaster, there is no doubt it now trends upward.
Tchouameni’s performances this season have captivated supporters, with the Brazilian striking up a strong understanding with Bruno Fernandes, who provided him with six assists across the campaign.
United, however, possess numerous options to replace him. Standing head and shoulders above the rest is Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. The 5ft 10in midfielder epitomises the engine room profile, a tenacious presence who operates seamlessly as a box-to-box midfielder.
Anderson’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with Manchester City leading the chase for the 23-year-old. His £100 million price tag may prove too steep for the United board, which could force a pivot elsewhere—potentially even towards Tchouameni.
