Manchester United have shifted their focus to Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Alex Scott of Bournemouth after failing to secure deals for Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils had previously earmarked Anderson, Tonali, and Fernandes as potential midfield reinforcements, but were put off by valuation demands of £116m, £100m, and £85m respectively. INEOS, United’s ownership group, deemed Tonali’s price particularly excessive.
Romano reports that internally, United now consider Tchouameni and Scott as “fantastic options” to bolster their midfield. However, both pursuits present challenges; Tchouameni’s high salary and Real Madrid’s reluctance to sell are obstacles, while Bournemouth are keen to retain Scott and are attempting to agree a new contract with a potential release clause.
Scott, 20, enjoyed a breakthrough season with Bournemouth in the Premier League, establishing himself as a key player in their midfield. Arsenal have also expressed interest in Scott, but have already had an offer rejected by Bournemouth, who are reportedly seeking around £80m for the player. The club are hoping to persuade Scott to sign a new deal to ward off interest.
Tchouameni, 24, joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2022 and has featured regularly for the Spanish giants, though he has not always been a consistent starter. His potential arrival at Old Trafford would provide United with a high-profile, experienced midfielder.
Should United succeed in signing either player, it would address a clear need in midfield following a frustrating start to the transfer window. The pursuit of Tchouameni suggests a willingness to invest in established talent, while Scott represents a potentially more affordable and long-term option.
