Manchester United still hold hope of signing Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, despite the player reportedly agreeing a new contract at the Bernabeu, according to journalist Andy Mitten.

Tchouameni enjoyed another impressive season for Los Blancos in 2025/26, but a fallout with teammate Federico Valverde towards the end of the campaign has fuelled speculation that he could leave the Spanish capital this summer. Unsurprisingly, a number of clubs were said to be on hand to pounce on the opportunity to land the Frenchman, with Manchester said to be his most likely destination.

United have reportedly expressed their interest in the 26-year-old, with the Red Devils said to view him as a dream midfield signing.

However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that Tchouameni has reached an agreement to extend his contract at Real Madrid until 2031, seemingly ending United’s immediate pursuit of the player.

Man Utd could still sign Aurelien Tchouameni this summer

via Reuters

United’s priority this summer was to renovate their midfield, and they’ve already set the wheels in motion on this front.

Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea for around £50million, while Youri Tielemans is closing in on a switch from Aston Villa after United opted to activate the Belgian’s £35million release clause.

Despite these two additions, there is still a feeling that the Red Devils need to add an out-and-out defensive midfielder to their squad. Tchouameni has been identified as the ideal candidate to fulfil this role at Old Trafford, but after reports emerged indicating that the France international is set to sign a new deal at Real Madrid, hopes of pulling off this statement transfer were somewhat diminished.

Usually, when a player commits their long-term future to a club, they aren’t then immediately sold. However, such is the dramatic nature of proceedings at the Bernabeu, journalist Mitten has claimed that sources at the La Liga outfit have told him Tchouameni’s departure could still be sanctioned.

“It sounds like he is, but when I spoke to somebody in Madrid after he had signed the contract, let me just read the text back: ‘They could still sell him,’” he told on Talk of the Devils.

“So, there you go. They could still get him. I will try to find out. So, the player has obviously done well out of this. This isn’t the first time that this has happened, where a Real Madrid player has benefited from Manchester United’s interest.

“Look, United were interested in him, as you would be, because he’s very good. As I have said on this podcast several times, the player’s perfectly happy in Madrid.

“If that situation changes, he would be perfectly happy to play for Manchester United.

“When I did some calls last week to Madrid, or actually it was the US because that’s where the journalists are covering the Spanish national team, one of the points put to me was Real Madrid want to buy big, so they need to sell big.”

Real Madrid still unlikely to sell Aurelien Tchouameni

Sarah Meyssonnier Via Reuters

While not implausible, the likelihood of Real Madrid selling Tchouameni after he’s put pen to paper on a new deal is slim. Going through the hassle of convincing him to stay and undergoing intense negotiations, just to let him leave straight away, doesn’t make much sense.

Jose Mourinho reportedly spoke to Tchouameni and convinced him to remain at Real Madrid, which doesn’t suggest that the Portuguese manager would be happy if Florentino Perez decided to imminently cash in.

Not to mention, the midfielder boasts a unique profile within the Real Madrid squad. He’s the only natural defensive midfielder, and there are few players on the market Los Blancos could replace him with and expect to find an upgrade.

United are likely going to be forced to look elsewhere.

The latest episode of WWE‘s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, revisited a storyline not too uncommon in the business: The love triangle.

One of the main participants this time around, Maxxine Dupri, has become the centre of attention for her current on-screen partner Austin Theory, of The Vision, and Otis.

While she broke the heart of the lovable 330-pounder, Dupri may have accidentally upset someone close to her in real life due to her work as well. Specifically, long-term partner and husband Kam Hendrix, who himself performs on the NXT and Evolve brands, if his recent post on X is anything to go by.

Maxxine Dupri’s Love Triangle on WWE Raw

Screenshot via Netflix.

The offending incident happened on the 13th of July in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The segment began with Theory and teammate Bron Breakker entering the ring to bask in the glory of their World Tag Team Championship win over The Street Profits, thanks to an assist from Dupri.

Fellow Vision member Logan Paul was about to formally welcome her into the stable when Otis and Akira Tozawa of Durpi’s former home, Alpha Academy, arrived and wanted an explanation for her actions.

Otis, known for his own love triangle during 2020, between Dolph Ziggler and Mandy Rose, was so desperate to win Dupri back that he pulled the same trick as he did with Mandy, and confessed his feelings for her.

Theory was quick to make him the subject of jokes about his weight and looks, which caused him to swing for, and eventually overpower, the former United States champion. Dupri’s next actions, however, would’ve made Theory’s comments the least of his worries.

The former WWE Women’s Intercontinental champion got between the two and looked to be about to kiss the former Raw Tag Team champion. Otis, as the gentle giant that he is, fell for the trap, with Theory using the distraction to regain his energy and strike him between the legs.

Though there was no need for it, Dupri proceeded to rub salt into the wounds, making clear that Otis was foolish to think that she would want to be with him, before appearing backstage still arm in arm with Theory.

Maxxine Dupri’s Husband Reacts to Raw Segment

Screenshot via Netflix.

Online developments following the segment have gone beyond those taking part in the angle, as Kam Hendrix (Anthony Luke), the real-life husband of Dupri (Sydney Luke), took to X to voice his anger at what took place in Texas.

The NXT and Evolve Superstar posted a blunt three-word statement on the platform, leaving almost no room for interpretation about the segment.

It was unclear who the comments were directed at, whether it was at those in the ring at the time, or the WWE themselves, though, the latter is unlikely because of the risk of upsetting his employers.

It needs to be said that there is a chance that, given the entertainment nature of the wrestling business, the post could be part of upholding kayfabe and part of the ongoing storyline. However, whether it is or not, there would possibly be, understandably, a subconscious uncomfortable feeling from a partner’s perspective when watching something like what happened on the night.

Manchester United are in the market for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window, despite signing Andrey Santos, while also closing in on Youri Tielemans.

United’s priority throughout the whole summer has been to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

Santos was the first midfield signing for the Red Devils after a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson fell through.

The Brazilian was confirmed as a new addition on Monday, while they also appear to be closing in on another new addition in the middle of the park.

David Ornstein reported that Manchester United were in advanced talks to sign the Aston Villa midfielder, who has a £35 million release clause in his contract.

The Belgian international looks set to be United’s next signing, but their midfield additions don’t appear to be stopping there.

Man Utd targeting another midfielder

According to reliable reporter David Ornstein speaking on The Athletic FC podcast, United now have a clear vision of what they want in midfield.

The Red Devils are looking to add somebody with legs in the middle of the park after signing Santos and the impending Tielemans.

Ornstein also confirms that Bournemouth midfielder Scott, described as ‘special’ by Bournemouth team-mate Lewis Cook, is someone United ‘love’, but Bournemouth insist he is not for sale in the summer transfer window.

United need more in midfield

It’s no surprise that United are in the market for another midfielder with Casemiro leaving the club in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have also lost Manuel Ugarte for a lengthy period of time, leaving them two midfielders short heading into the new season.

United could cope with just two midfield additions, but with Champions League football on the horizon, it’s understandable that they want a bigger and more competitive squad.

As Ornstein mentioned, they could do with adding a ball-winning runner in the middle of the park to complement their other new additions in midfield so far this summer.