Manchester United have been forced to rethink their midfield transfer plans after losing the race for Mateus Fernandes, but a move for Real Madrid star Aurélien Tchouaméni remains out of reach.
Tottenham secured an agreement to sign Fernandes in an £85 million deal after outbidding United, leaving Michael Carrick’s side searching for another high-profile addition in midfield.
Although Tchouaméni is regarded internally as one of the club’s ideal midfield targets and a long-term successor to Casemiro, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says the finances involved make a deal extremely difficult under the current circumstances.
According to Romano, Manchester United believe both Real Madrid’s asking price and Tchouaméni’s wage demands are significantly beyond the financial framework the club are operating within this summer. Unless the France international were prepared to accept substantially reduced personal terms, negotiations are not expected to progress.
The club’s recruitment strategy under INEOS has focused on maintaining financial discipline rather than entering expensive bidding wars. That approach was evident during the pursuit of Fernandes, where Tottenham’s guaranteed offer ultimately proved decisive, and it has also influenced United’s withdrawal from several other transfer races this summer.
With Tchouaméni currently viewed as financially unattainable, United are continuing to assess alternative midfield options.
Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott remain among the players linked with the club, while United are also believed to be monitoring several emerging talents across Europe as they look to strengthen the squad without compromising their wage structure.
Manchester United remain determined to sign another central midfielder before the transfer window closes, but any deal is expected to meet the club’s revised financial criteria.
For now, Tchouaméni remains a dream target rather than a realistic one, with both Real Madrid’s valuation and the player’s salary continuing to place the France international beyond United’s reach.
