Aurelien Tchouameni looks set to stay at Real Madrid, dealing a fresh blow to Manchester United.
The France midfielder has verbally agreed a new contract until 2031, ending speculation over a move to Old Trafford. It is another target lost for United this summer.
The breakthrough was reported by French outlet RMC Sport and corroborated by Fabrizio Romano, with the deal set to make Tchouameni one of the club’s top earners.
Real had always been open to offering fresh terms, but the speed of the agreement caught many by surprise.
Tchouameni to snub Man Utd and sign new Real Madrid deal
Jose Mourinho proved the decisive influence. According to ESPN, a direct conversation between the returning boss and the player was key, with Mourinho making clear he sees Tchouameni as central to his plans. The midfielder duly reaffirmed his wish to remain in the Spanish capital.
United had pushed hard for the 26-year-old. He was regarded internally as the ideal replacement for the departed Casemiro, with reports of a lucrative five-year contract offer prepared. The Red Devils were even ready to table a bid in excess of €100m.
The stumbling block, ultimately, was Madrid’s stance. Real were only willing to sell if it funded another marquee midfield addition, but Mourinho’s desire to keep Tchouameni closed that door. His salary demands had also complicated any potential deal.
It caps a frustrating window for United’s midfield rebuild. Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City, while Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali both moved to Tottenham. Each was a player United had considered before missing out.
They have not been left empty-handed, though. United have agreed a £50m deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, who is set for a medical, and are also completing the signing of Ederson from Atalanta. Both will bolster Michael Carrick’s engine room.
Questions remain over whether that is enough. With Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte’s future uncertain, Carrick wants genuine quality to compete on multiple fronts next season.
Tchouameni, meanwhile, turns his focus back to the World Cup. Having recovered from a muscle injury, he is in line to feature for France against Morocco in the quarter-finals.
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