Updated: 31 May 2026 13:46 BST |
5 min read
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has insisted Aurelien Tchouameni will not be sold this summer, amid strong speculation linking the midfielder with a big-money move to Manchester United.
Widespread reports have indicated United have made strengthening their midfield a priority this summer, with The Athletic claiming the club are monitoring a host of targets including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.
BBC Sport understands the Red Devils are also running the rule over Real star Tchouameni, with Spanish publication Fichajes even claiming Michael Carrick’s side are weighing up an €80million (£69m) offer.
However, in an interview with Spanish outlet El Pais, Real president Perez is adamant Tchouameni will remain in the Spanish capital beyond the summer transfer window, while he has also ruled out selling Federico Valverde, who the Daily Star claim United also hold an interest in.
When asked about the midfield pair’s futures, Perez simply said: “Valverde and Tchouameni will stay? For me, yes, of course.”
Tchouameni and Valverde have endured a difficult few weeks at Real after the pair were involved in a dressing room altercation which led to them receiving €500,000 (£435,000) fines from the Spanish giants.
Valverde subsequently went to hospital with a head injury following the row with Tchouameni, though the Uruguay international denied they “came to blows” and said he accidentally hit a table.
Meanwhile, Real are currently in the midst of presidential elections called by Perez on 12 May, with the 79-year-old facing competition from renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme.
Riquelme is the only person challenging Perez, who has stood unopposed in Real’s last four electoral cycles in 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025.
United, on the other hand, are preparing for what manager Carrick has described as the club’s “most important” transfer window when the summer market reopens next month.
While United continue to be linked with Tchouameni, who is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, the club are in advanced talks to make Atalanta’s Ederson their first summer signing, according to BBC Sport.
The same publication however claims the 20-time league champions remain behind rivals Manchester City in the race to sign England star Anderson, with Forest understood to want a fee similar to the €132million (£115m) it cost Chelsea to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in 2023, according to The Telegraph.
Anderson has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals and recording as many assists to help Pereira’s Forest finish 16th in the table. He is also expected to act as England’s first choice No. 6 at this summer’s World Cup.
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