Manchester United are set to hold talks with Real Madrid over a potential transfer for Aurelien Tchouameni, according to Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz.

What's behind the move?

The Red Devils have long been interested in the 26-year-old, dating back to his time in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco. Manchester United made an approach in the summer of 2022 before he sealed an £85 million move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The current situation

Tchouameni is widely considered one of the game's best defensive midfielders, with a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. He has gone on to make 195 appearances for Real Madrid, winning La Liga and the Champions League in the process.

What comes next?

With Manchester United's midfield rebuild having begun to show signs of crumbling after the failed pursuits of Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, the club is keen to land a top target. A fee exceeding €100 million is likely to be needed to prise Tchouameni away from the Spanish capital. As of now, Manchester United are sitting 3rd in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a recent form of WWDWW and a 4-game winning run, their last result being a 3-0 win over Brighton on 2026-05-24.

The bigger picture

The potential transfer of Tchouameni would be a major boost for Manchester United, who are looking to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season. With their next fixture against AC Milan on 2026-08-15, the Red Devils will be hoping to make a big statement in the transfer market. Tchouameni's arrival would be a significant signing, and one that would excite the fans at Old Trafford.