Real Madrid News
Real Madrid reach agreement to extend midfield mainstay’s contract until 2031 amid Manchester United interest – Romano
In a breaking report from Fabrizio Romano, the transfer saga surrounding Aurelien Tchouameni has come to an abrupt end and the player is set to stay at Real Madrid.
The French midfielder was long-linked with a departure from the club and extensively linked with Manchester United as their top target to replace Casemiro this summer. His sale was said to be the club’s means of getting a financial return to invest in a new name.
Now, however, the player has agreed terms on a renewal with the club and there remains no doubt around where he will play next season.
His new deal will run until 2031 and the formalities can be expected to be completed after the World Cup.
The role of Mourinho
While it is indeed an understandable decision for the club to keep Tchouameni, it is not only the player’s desire to stay that saw his renewal fall in place but also the manager’s insistence.
Jose Mourinho reportedly personally asked the player to stay amid the transfer links and was a key factor in the entire process. He pushed hard for the player’s continuity and did not want him to leave this summer.
After all, the Portuguese tactician considers Tchouameni to be the right profile for his plans – a fighter who is physically imposing and has an elite mentality.
Set to be a key cog
As part of his conversation with the player, Mourinho even reportedly assured the Frenchman that he would be a key player for him next season, virtually guaranteeing him a place in the starting XI.
Needless to say, that implies Tchouameni will be the team’s starting defensive midfielder and that the club are unlikely to sign a new pivot player this summer. In fact, he will be one of the club’s top earners, with a salary of close to €13 million, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
The development also finalises Real Madrid’s midfield blueprint ahead of the new season, as all signs now point to Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham being fixed starters.
Federico Valverde and Arda Guler are likely to be the next highest placed on the pecking order while Bernardo Silva is the latest addition and it remains to be seen where he slots in.
Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, is edging closer to a departure. After Tchouameni’s renewal, his chances of leaving have grown manifold.
Real Madrid are set to kick off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday when they host Inter Milan at the Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho’s side will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis last time out.
And ahead of the crucial European opener, the Portuguese has received a timely boost, with Thiago Pitarch and Endrick both in contention to feature.
Pitarch and Endrick back in training
According to Arancha Rodriguez, Pitarch and Endrick returned to full group training on Sunday, alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, in the final session before the Inter clash. Both are now in contention to make the squad vs Inter.
All three had been sidelined by injury, with Pitarch having suffered a torn medial collateral ligament during pre-season and Endrick nursing a muscular problem.
Their return to team training is a welcome development for Mourinho, even if none of the trio are likely to start given they missed more than a month of preparation.
Of the group, Pitarch and Endrick are reported to have the best chance of making the matchday squad, with the pair now working to sharpen their fitness in the coming days.
Why Pitarch could prove crucial
Pitarch’s potential availability is particularly significant given Mourinho’s threadbare midfield options for the Inter game.
Real Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, all of whom are suspended, leaving the Portuguese short in the middle of the park.
With Tchouameni also only just returning from a groin issue, the young Spaniard could offer valuable depth in an area where Mourinho has few alternatives.
For Endrick, meanwhile, the game represents a chance to make his competitive debut under Mourinho and begin clawing back ground on Carlos Espi in the race for a bench role in attack.
While Mourinho will not want to rush any of his returning players, having Pitarch and Endrick back in the fold offers him some much-needed flexibility as Real Madrid look to make a statement in Europe.
