Aurelien Tchouameni’s touted transfer switch to Manchester United has become an awful lot more likely in the past three days after the explosive situation at Real Madrid.
With Manchester United planning to overhaul the midfield and upgrade this summer, Aurelien Tchouameni looks like an increasingly enticing option.
United have been credited with interest in Tchouameni, but now, the Frenchman has been involved in drama over in Madrid.
With Tchouameni involved in a training ground bust-up, United could view this as an opportunity to pounce on a deal. Now, the latest on this situation has been explained.
What are your thoughts on the ‘fights’ between Tchouameni and Valverde… does this present an opportunity for United? Or is this a bad omen for a transfer?
Would Tchouameni be the right fit for United's dressing room?
Aurelien Tchouameni’s future at Real Madrid is uncertain
Tchouameni and Valverde both face disciplinary action from Madrid. While Spanish press have claimed the pair should be sold.
Now, an in-depth explainer of the situation has dropped. The Athletic’s Spanish football experts have reported what they are hearing from insiders at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Reflecting on what happened,” the article explained. “Several sources with intimate knowledge of the Madrid dressing room said Valverde was the one to blame, that he had provoked Tchouameni in a pattern of behaviour they were already familiar with.
“One source said the Uruguay international ‘has been like this all year’, adding that his attitude was ‘unworthy of a captain’. That view was supported by others with a longer history at the club.”
Continuing, it was added that both midfielders now face being sold this summer.
“Sources close to two senior players speculated it would be ‘impossible’ for both Valverde and Tchouameni to stay at the club beyond this season.”
For anyone concerned about Tchouameni being a problem-maker, the article details how he was antagonised by Valverde.
On Wednesday, Valverde targeted Tchouameni with an overly strong tackle, leading to an exchange of words.
Following this, Thursday saw Valverde refuse to shake Tchouameni’s hand, followed by more strong tackles in training, with the Frenchman not reacting. Next, Valverde made comments about his teammate, which ultimately escalated to Tchouameni having had enough and striking his captain.
How much should Man Utd pay to sign Aurelien Tchouameni? What would you consider a fair fee?
Do you think he would be the right fit for Man Utd?
Real Madrid fined Tchouameni £432k for the incident
After these events, Real Madrid opened formal hearings to discipline the pair, with the resolution being a hefty fine of €1m combined, as the official statement explains.
“Real Madrid C.F. announces that, following the events that led to the opening of disciplinary proceedings yesterday against our players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, both appeared today before the investigating officer.
“During their appearance, the players expressed their sincere regret for what happened and apologized to each other.
“They also conveyed their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both offered their full cooperation to Real Madrid, ready to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate. In light of these circumstances, Real Madrid has decided to impose a fine of five hundred thousand euros (£432k) on each player, thus concluding the corresponding internal procedures”.
Whether this is the end of the situation remains to be seen.
Manchester United have made approach for Tchouameni
Amid all of this, United’s fondness for signing Tchouameni has continued.
Ben Jacobs is now telling The United Stand that United have already made formal approaches with the player’s entourage to sign Tchouameni this summer.
£70m was Real Madrid’s demand to sell, but with these latest bombshells, there might yet be room to negotiate an even better deal.
United would see massive improvements from signing Tchouameni, so hopefully this is one Ineos decide to push forward and complete in the coming weeks.
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