A key member of the France national team, Aurélien Tchouaméni has been a cornerstone of Didier Deschamps’ squad during the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the French midfielder’s name is increasingly linked with a potential summer move. Following earlier speculation about Manchester United, Chelsea have now emerged as serious contenders for the Real Madrid star. Here is the full story.
At 26, Tchouaméni is one of Deschamps’ key lieutenants in the French setup. This summer could mark a turning point in his career after a difficult 2025-2026 season with Real Madrid. The defensive midfielder, who came through Bordeaux’s academy, is now attracting attention from several Premier League sides.
Chelsea ready to make a move for Tchouaméni?
After Manchester United were linked, the Blues are now showing strong interest. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who previously worked with Tchouaméni at Real Madrid, is keen on bringing the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge, especially if Enzo Fernandez departs this summer. However, the midfielder’s high salary could be a sticking point.
The Frenchman’s XXL salary poses a problem
Two key challenges have been identified: Tchouaméni’s substantial salary, which is not what Manchester United are looking to take on at this stage, and the fact that Real Madrid have not yet signaled that they are open to a sale. Should the Spanish club change their stance, United would be ready to consider a move, but the wage problem would persist.
