![\"\"](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nicky-butt-2f89.png?w=646\")
\t<\/div>Nicky Butt has endorsed Manchester United\u2019s interest in Aurelien Tchouameni but believes signing the Real Madrid midfielder is \u2018a long shot\u2019.<\/p>\n
United are in the market for at least one central midfielder in the summer transfer window with Casemiro set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer.<\/p>\n
Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali are all on United\u2019s shortlist, while reports this week have claimed that the club are also keeping tabs on Tchouameni\u2019s situation at Madrid.<\/p>\n
Butt has described Tchouameni as a \u2018phenomenal player\u2019 but believes Madrid are unlikely to sell the France international, who is valued at \u00a370 million.<\/p>\n
\u2018I loved him at Monaco before he went to Real Madrid. I think he\u2019s a phenomenal footballer and exactly what United need in that sitting area,\u2019 Butt told Paddy Power.<\/p>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t see Real Madrid selling Tchouameni until they get somebody who can replace him \u2013 maybe Rodri if Pep leaves Man City \u2013 or if [Florentino Perez] wants to rip it up because they\u2019re not winning.<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s a phenomenal player and that would be showing real intent of, we\u2019re not messing about, we\u2019re going to go for it.<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s playing for one of the biggest football clubs in the world. It\u2019s a long shot and, for me, depends on if Pep was to leave.\u2019<\/p>\n Asked if Tchouameni is a better signing than either Wharton or Anderson, Butt said: \u2018I\u2019d go for two of them.<\/p>\n \u2018In years gone by Man United would have gone for both. Whether that\u2019s doable or not, I\u2019m not sure.<\/p>\n \u2018I always talk about Premier League experience, but that\u2019s more with younger players, like a Rasmus Hojlund or a Benjamin Sesko.<\/p>\n \u2018This boy has been playing in Europe, in the Champions League for years.<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s a top player, an international player, been in big tournaments. He\u2019s a fantastic player, so with that one I think you just go, \u2018he\u2019s capable\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018Obviously you never quite know until they come in but he\u2019s a beast of a player.<\/p>\n \u2018Tchouameni is getting into his prime, he\u2019s got everything. He\u2019s a good footballer, powerful, quick, strong, aggressive. He\u2019s one that we will need.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2263692832-397d.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
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