Manchester United's summer midfield recruitment plans have taken a dramatic turn: after back-to-back training-ground clashes between Real Madrid midfielders Valverde and Tchouaméni, the Red Devils have switched from pursuing Tchouaméni to prioritising a move for Valverde, with exit rumours gathering pace.
Conflict escalates as Valverde sidelined for two weeks
Last week, Real Madrid's training base witnessed two consecutive midfield clashes. In the second incident, Valverde required stitches after hitting his head on a table and was taken to hospital. Following a club disciplinary meeting, both players were fined €500,000 each and apologised to the squad. Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon reported that some senior teammates want Valverde sold this summer, believing he is affecting the dressing-room atmosphere; another account suggests Valverde accused Tchouaméni of leaking details of the first row, which sparked the second confrontation. Tchouaméni started in Sunday's El Clásico, a 0-2 defeat, as Barcelona completed their La Liga title defence; Valverde will be sidelined for around two weeks with a head injury.
United switch targets as Carrick keeps Champions League qualification alive
The Mirror's chief sports correspondent Jeremy Cross reports that Manchester United are plotting a "surprise transfer raid," hoping to approach 27-year-old Federico Valverde once the summer window opens. The Red Devils need to sign two or three midfielders this summer; INEOS had long tracked Aurélien Tchouaméni, but the France international has no desire to leave Madrid and Real Madrid have no intention of selling him, so United have shifted their focus to Valverde, whose situation is more delicate. Interim boss Michael Carrick has guided the club into the Premier League top five, and with United set to compete in the Champions League next season, upgrading midfield has become a necessity.
Ferdinand still backing Tchouaméni
United legend Rio Ferdinand said on YouTube that he has met Tchouaméni and believes he "can play and compete"; training-ground clashes would not affect his view on a potential signing—if turmoil erupts inside Real Madrid, United should act decisively. However, Tchouaméni's desire to stay is clear, and the likelihood of Real Madrid selling him is extremely low, making Valverde the more realistic opening instead.
From an operational standpoint, United—blocked on the Tchouaméni route—are looking to exploit divisions in the Real Madrid dressing room to find an alternative. Valverde's quality is beyond question, but if he has truly been isolated by teammates as reported, whether Real Madrid are willing to let him go—and whether the player himself would accept leaving the Bernabéu—remain the biggest uncertainties of the summer window.
