Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have not opened the door on potential exit for Manchester United target – Romano
Real Madrid are making some notable changes to their squad this summer, with four signings already secured and more expected to be on the way.
Naturally, there will need to be some cuts to the existing squad so that the club can free up room for the new arrivals.
Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, and Raul Asencio seem bound for the exit doors, while reports have suggested that one of Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga could also leave.
Tchouameni, in particular, is attracting strong interest from Premier League giants Manchester United, who are on the lookout for a replacement for Casemiro.
Real Madrid not actively pursuing Tchouameni sale
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have not yet opened the door to an exit for Tchouameni this summer.
Up until this point, there has been no direct contact between Real Madrid and Manchester United regarding the French international.
At the same time, Los Blancos have not told the midfielder’s camp that they are looking to part ways with him.
Furthermore, there will be financial challenges involved for Manchester United to sign Tchouameni, as not only would he command a huge transfer fee, but he is also on a very high salary.
So unless something major changes, a departure from the Santiago Bernabeu appears unlikely for the former AS Monaco ace.
What role will Tchouameni have under Mourinho?
During his time at Real Madrid, Tchouameni has become a key player for the team under all the coaches he has played – be it Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, or Alvaro Arbeloa.
However, whether he retains that status under incoming manager Jose Mourinho remains to be seen in the upcoming season.
As reported, the Portuguese tactician intends to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation during his second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And, he sees Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde as his two most important pillars in midfield.
So, the likes of Tchouameni, Camavinga, Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, and the other midfielder that Real Madrid plan to sign will be competing for the remaining one spot in midfield.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
