Manchester United Eye £68M Tchouameni As Real Madrid Circle Rodri

Real Madrid are ready to sell Aurelien Tchouameni to Manchester United so Real Madrid can fund a swoop for World Cup winner Rodri.

The Red Devils have enquired about £68million-rated Tchouameni, 26, with boss Michael Carrick keen on a specialist defensive midfielder to join new boys Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Real are desperate to sign Manchester City ace Rodri, who was named the World Cup’s best player after leading Spain to glory over Argentina on Sunday.

The La Roja captain, 30 — valued at £85m — has 12 months left on his Etihad deal and will miss the start of the Prem season as he needs minor back surgery.

New Real coach Jose had planned on keeping France star Tchouameni, who is under contract until 2028 and had verbally agreed a new deal at the Bernabeu.

But SunSport understands the 15-time European Cup winners are prepared to cash in.

Tchouameni joined Real from Monaco for an initial fee of £68m in 2022. Real sources say United’s interest in the player is “strong” now the World Cup has finished.

The Red Devils have lost two midfielders with Brazil veteran Casemiro, 34, now at Inter Miami, while 25-year-old Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte sustained a serious knee injury at the tournament.

Tchouameni’s age, availability and pedigree, having started the 2022 World Cup final against the Argies and won the Champions League with Real, appeals to United.

The former Monaco star also fits their preferred age range of 22-26.