Real Madrid have sent a clear message to the market by turning down a massive €90 million offer from Manchester United for Aurélien Tchouaméni, according to reports in Spain and England.
The proposal from Old Trafford was structured as €70m fixed plus €20m in add-ons, but was immediately rejected by Los Blancos, who view the French midfielder as a key piece of their present and future.
United tests Madrid’s resolve
Manchester United are actively searching for a long-term replacement for Casemiro and have identified Tchouaméni as a priority target for their midfield rebuild.
The Premier League side contacted Real Madrid and submitted a formal €90m bid, hoping the size of the offer would tempt the club into negotiations. Instead, they “ran into a brick wall”: Madrid made it clear they have no intention of selling and will not even enter talks at that figure.
For United, Tchouaméni fits the profile perfectly – 25 years old, already proven at the highest level in LaLiga and the Champions League, and capable of anchoring midfield for years to come. But for now, the English club will have to look elsewhere.
Why Tchouaméni is non-negotiable for Madrid
Since arriving from Monaco in 2022, Tchouaméni has grown into one of the most important players in Real Madrid’s structure. Under the new manager, Xabi Alonso this season, he has remained a regular starter and one of the first names on the teamsheet.
His profile is exactly what Madrid wants at the base of midfield:
- Defensive shield: Breaks up play, protects the back line and covers huge distances.
- Tactical balance: Allows the more attacking midfielders and forwards to play with freedom.
- Physical presence: Built for the intensity of LaLiga and Champions League knockout games.
- Long-term core: At 25, he fits perfectly into the club’s plan to build a side that can dominate for years.
Reports in Spain stress that Florentino Pérez and the sporting department see Tchouaméni as an “irreplaceable pillar” of the project, not a player to cash in on.
A message to the dressing room and the market
By rejecting €90m without hesitation, Real Madrid are sending two strong signals:
- To the dressing room: Key players are protected. If you perform and buy into the project, the club will back you even when big offers arrive.
- To other clubs: Madrid are not in a selling mood for their core pieces. Any approach for players like Tchouaméni will have to be extraordinary – and even then, there are no guarantees.
This stance also fits with Alonso’s public admiration for the Frenchman. The coach values him not only for his defensive work, but also for his ability to progress the ball and adapt to different tactical shapes in midfield.
What does it mean for Madrid’s midfield plan?
For RMxtra readers, the takeaway is simple: Tchouaméni is at the heart of Real Madrid’s medium- and long-term midfield plan.
With the likes of Bellingham, Valverde, Camavinga and others around him, Madrid are building a versatile, high-energy engine room designed to compete on all fronts for many seasons. Letting Tchouaméni go now – even for €90m – would go against everything the club has been constructing.
Manchester United may well return with improved terms or explore other targets, but as things stand, Real Madrid’s position is firm:
Aurélien Tchouaméni is not for sale.