Manchester United's hopes of signing Aurelien Tchouameni are likely to be dashed by incoming Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. The 26-year-old French midfielder is among several targets for the Red Devils as they seek to strengthen their midfield this summer.
United's Midfield Overhaul
The club has already agreed a £35 million deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, with the Brazil international set to arrive at Old Trafford. Ederson initially missed out on Brazil's World Cup squad but was called up on Sunday following an injury to Roma's Wesley. United are expected to bring in another central midfielder, with names such as Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, and Carlos Baleba being linked.
Tchouameni Interest Complicated by Mourinho
Tchouameni, a France international, is also on United's radar, but prising him away from Real Madrid will be difficult due to the incoming manager. Mourinho is set to make a surprise return to the Bernabeu, 13 years after his first stint in charge. The 63-year-old, whose managerial reputation has waned in recent years after spells at Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce, and Benfica, is now poised to take on one of the biggest jobs in world football.
According to The Sun, Mourinho will quickly block United's interest in Tchouameni, as he intends to keep hold of the Frenchman. Tchouameni, a former Monaco star, has been a regular in Real Madrid's first team, making 49 appearances across all competitions last season and 58 the previous campaign.
Dressing Room Clashes Downplayed
Doubts about Tchouameni's future at the club emerged after training ground clashes with teammate Federico Valverde, but the Frenchman has downplayed their severity. Both players were fined €500,000 (£432,100) by the club. 'Certain events have occurred, and you've all seen the coverage,' Tchouameni said. 'But this situation has been blown out of proportion. At Real Madrid, everything provokes a massive reaction. Still, a lot of nonsense has appeared in the press. I've read that there was a fight and that I'm supposed to have hit him. That's simply not true. I won't go into any further detail.'
He added: 'The most important thing is that the club knows what happened. So many things happen in the dressing room that the media never find out about. Life goes on. Fede and I have one clear goal: to win titles with Real Madrid. There are absolutely no problems.'
