Real Madrid News
Manchester United set sights on €120 million-rated Real Madrid midfield mainstay
Following the chaos in the dressing room last week, Real Madrid are not ruling out the sale of key midfielder and second captain Federico Valverde.
The 27-year-old Uruguayan international was the instigator of the issue that snowballed into a fight with fellow midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
While Real Madrid have hit both players with a hefty €500,000 fine, they are believed to be far from pleased with Valverde’s behaviour in particular, potentially opening the doors for a summer exit.
Manchester United eye Valverde
Now, according to the Daily Mirror in England (h/t AS), Manchester United are hoping to capitalise on the unrest in the Real Madrid locker room and make a move for Valverde in the summer.
The Red Devils are already looking at Tchouameni as a potential replacement for Real Madrid legend Casemiro, who is leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Now, it is being suggested that the Premier League giants have also added Valverde to their shortlist for the summer.
Valverde is under contract at Real Madrid until 2029 and remains a key player for the team despite the recent controversies.
So far this term, he has made 48 appearances in all competitions, recording nine goals and 13 assists in the process.
Only earlier today, the 27-year-old was named in the La Liga Team of the Season for 2025/26, along with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Tchouameni, and Thibaut Courtois.
So, any move for Valverde in the summer is unlikely to come cheap. However, Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the situation, hoping to pounce if Real Madrid open the doors to his sale in the summer.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
One of the main objectives for Real Madrid this summer was to bring in a new central midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and dictating the play from the middle.
A move for Rodri was in the works before the Spain captain decided to sign for FC Barcelona. The Merengues assessed several other options, but ended up not signing any player, with Jose Mourinho deciding to use Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.
One of the midfielders that Real Madrid were looking at as an option was Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
The England international has been on the club’s radar for a while now, but the Premier League club never opened the door for a summer departure.
Wharton could be on the market in 2027
However, now, according to The Guardian (h/t Bernabeu Digital), That stance could change next year, as that Palace would be prepared to consider selling Wharton during the next summer transfer window.
As mentioned already, Real Madrid have closely followed Wharton’s situation throughout the summer, although the club ultimately decided against making any further additions to their midfield.
Manchester City and Chelsea also showed serious interest in signing the England international during the summer. However, Crystal Palace were unwilling to sell, effectively ruling out a move for the midfielder.
But it appears that they could open the doors for Wharton to leave in the summer of 2027, potentially paving the way for Real Madrid to make a move.
Real Madrid continue to monitor Wharton
Real Madrid are expected to keep a close eye on Wharton’s progress ahead of the 2027 market. Should they decide they need another high-quality midfielder, the 22-year-old could once again emerge as a candidate.
Manchester City may be less likely to return for Wharton after strengthening their midfield significantly this summer.
Chelsea, however, could remain a potential competitor after failing to add a player in the position during the latest window.
For now, Wharton will remain at Crystal Palace, but the club’s willingness to consider a sale next summer means the midfielder could become a realistic option for Real Madrid in 2027.
