A sensational report has surfaced claiming that Manchester United submitted a €90 million proposal (€70m plus €20m in bonuses) for a Real Madrid star—only for Florentino Pérez to dismiss the attempt outright.
Manchester United are widely expected to overhaul their midfield in 2026. TEAMtalk recently revealed the club’s ambitious reconstruction plans, with Casemiro almost certain to depart and Bruno Fernandes potentially being sold if the right offer arrives.
Even if Fernandes stays, United still need significant reinforcements. According to a surprising claim from Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Premier League side have set their sights on Real Madrid.
The report states that United have launched a €90m bid for Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Real Madrid, however, consider the 25-year-old Frenchman an “untouchable and irreplaceable cornerstone” of their team. As a result, the offer was immediately rejected, with club president Pérez “refusing to even entertain negotiations.”
Although United are indeed seeking major midfield additions, Fichajes is known for its exaggerated transfer stories, and the credibility of this particular claim is doubtful. While United may admire Tchouaméni as a player, TEAMtalk understands their real targets are much closer to home.
Who Man Utd are REALLY pursuing
Insider Fraser Fletcher reports that United’s long-term plan is to attempt to sign all three of Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, and Adam Wharton over the next two to three transfer windows.
Brighton value Baleba at £100m, and Fabrizio Romano—as well as TEAMtalk’s own sources—confirm the player is increasingly open to joining Manchester United. United made an approach last summer, and the Cameroon midfielder has grown more attracted to the move with time.
United fully intend to submit a formal bid for Baleba in one of the 2026 windows. Personal terms won’t be an obstacle, but reaching a price that satisfies Brighton will be the main challenge.
Anderson and Wharton are expected to cost around £150m combined, with significant competition brewing for Wharton in particular.
More Manchester United updates: Ajax talent / Antoine Semenyo latest
In other developments, United are attempting to lure a promising Belgian prospect away from Ajax. A journalist has identified the competing Premier League club and the two key factors that will determine the player’s decision.
Meanwhile, United continue to monitor Antoine Semenyo as they assess versatile attacking options. But for now, Liverpool are viewed as the frontrunners for the Bournemouth winger, with sources outlining the sequence of events that would need to unfold for United to have a chance at signing him.
