Manchester United and Liverpool are salivating. But Real Madrid thinks differently. Aurélien Tchouaméni (26) is more likely to be kept than sold.
British outlet CaughtOffside reported on the 1st (Korean time), "Manchester United and Liverpool are monitoring Tchouaméni's situation, but Real intends to offer him a new contract rather than sell him."
Real has had a below-expectation season. With the whole team unsettled, the possibility of a major summer transfer market overhaul has grown. The futures of several players, including Eduardo Camavinga and Gonzalo García, are being linked to the Premier League. Naturally, Tchouaméni's name has also emerged.
But the tone is different. Despite Real's poor form, Tchouaméni is regarded as a player who has relatively delivered his share. He has balanced the team by alternating between defensive midfield and center back. Inside Real, the atmosphere is that he is not an asset to be easily let go.
Manchester United need midfield reinforcement. They must prepare for the post-Casemiro era, and considering the possibility of further departures, they need a solid No. 6. Tchouaméni is a card that combines reputation, experience, physicality and defensive skill. Liverpool have also watched him for a long time. They were interested since his Monaco days and could move if the situation opens up.
The issue is Tchouaméni himself. He is known to prioritize staying over leaving Real. He wants to play at Santiago Bernabéu for at least one more season and, if possible, prefers a contract extension. That is the exact opposite of the calculations by the big Premier League clubs.
Real is on the same page. According to local reports, Real plans to extend Tchouaméni's contract until 2031. Negotiations have not yet entered a full-scale phase, but talks are expected after the season ends.
Of course, there are no absolutes in football. If a new coach, squad reshuffle and financial situation align, the mood can change at any time. If he is put on the sale table, the price could rise to about 80 million–90 million euros. That is not an amount either Manchester United or Liverpool can easily gamble on.
In the end, the answer depends on Tchouaméni. If the player has no intention of moving, there is little either Manchester United or Liverpool can do. Real may be unsettled, but Tchouaméni is not. Given the current mood, his next shirt is most likely to be white.
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