Manchester United Targets Aurelien Tchouameni Amid Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez Saga

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has moved up a gear, with wage demands no longer seen as a roadblock – and Chelsea’s own midfield saga potentially set to play straight into Old Trafford’s hands.

United have identified the Real Madrid star as their ideal long-term successor to Casemiro as they tear into a major midfield rebuild. A £35million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is already in place, but that is only one piece of a much bigger plan.

There is an ambition inside the club to add as many as three midfielders before next season, giving Michael Carrick the kind of depth and balance United have lacked for years. Mateus Fernandes is a key target but could slip away to Tottenham, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has emerged as an alternative option in that more advanced role.

The real headline, though, is the No 6 position. That is where Tchouameni comes in, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba also under consideration.

On Monday, Fabrizio Romano underlined that Tchouameni is high on United’s list but warned that the Frenchman’s salary at Madrid could complicate any move. That concern has now been sharply cooled.

Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs has made it clear that United are ready to pay for quality.

“Tchouameni’s wages are not an issue in my opinion,” he told The United Stand. “Manchester United would be prepared to make a player like that one of their top earners.

“They’re not in that territory of £300,000 [per week] Rashford, Sancho-type wages, but nor is Tchouameni by the way.

“So I’m not aware that personal terms with Tchouameni would be a problem.”

In other words, if Real Madrid open the door, United believe they can walk through it.

The real question now sits in the Spanish capital. What do Madrid do next in midfield? Jacobs pointed directly at the domino that could change everything: Enzo Fernandez.

“The challenge is, what midfielder do Real sign? Is it in Tchouameni’s position? Even if it isn’t, do they bring in enough funds elsewhere, or do they need one big sale to make a play at Enzo Fernandez?” he said.

“Jose Mourinho has said he wants Enzo Fernandez, and this is why talks are expected to begin between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

“So I doubt Man Utd would be walking away from a prospective Tchouameni deal [based] on wages.

“I think they would hold some optimism that if the player genuinely becomes available, it’s a viable move.”

Madrid, for their part, are confident about landing Fernandez. If that happens, the ripple effect could be significant. A big-money arrival often demands a big-money departure. Tchouameni, one of the most coveted defensive midfielders in the game, would instantly become one of the most attractive options on the market.

United know the price. Around £70m is expected to be needed to tempt Madrid into a sale – a hefty fee, but one that looks increasingly reasonable for a 24-year-old already operating at the top of European football.

Liverpool are watching developments as well, ready to pounce if the situation shifts in their favour. But United have placed their marker down early. The wages are covered, the role is clear, the need is obvious.

Now it comes down to Madrid’s next move – and whether Chelsea’s willingness to part with Enzo Fernandez ends up unlocking the defensive midfielder United have been waiting for.