Manchester United still want Aurélien Tchouaméni, but the deal has become more complicated after reports that Real Madrid gave him a three-year contract extension and improved wages earlier this summer. United have been heavily linked with him and later said they had reignited their interest. The basic issue has not changed: they admire the midfielder, but the fee and wage package have to make sense.

Madrid's contract move

The reported extension looks less like a closed door and more like protection. Andy Mitten said Madrid gave Tchouaméni a three-year extension and improved wages in part because they did not think Rodri was available to them, then changed stance when they understood that he could be. He also said that if Madrid are to buy big, they need to sell big.

Mitten's line on the transfer side was blunt: "Tchouameni's higher wages and transfer fee would be the significant issues which would need to be resolved." He added that United have long admired Tchouaméni and understand that he is very happy at Madrid, but would leave if Madrid did not want him and, if that was the case, be open to the idea of playing for United.

Aurélien Tchouaméni has made 195 appearances for Madrid in all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists. That is exactly the sort of body of work that gives a selling club leverage if it decides to move a player on.

United's stance

United's interest is real, but it does not read like desperation. They have already added two central midfielders this summer, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans are not part of the allowed entities list, so no link inserted. However, if Madrid ever open the door, United still see Tchouaméni as a dream target.

The club's wider position helps explain the chase. They finished third in the 2025 Premier League table with 71 points, and their last five league results were WWDWW, with four wins and one draw. That is not a side scrambling to patch holes everywhere. It is a squad that can still think about elite additions, provided the money works.

Mitten also said United would not be targeting players if they did not think they would want to come to Old Trafford. That is useful context, because this one has always depended on two separate questions, whether Madrid are prepared to sell and whether the price ends up in a range United can live with.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →