Real Madrid have decided to retain midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde following a physical training ground altercation that left the latter hospitalised, according to reports in Spain. Despite Manchester United identifying Tchouaméni, 26, as their primary target to replace the departing Casemiro, the Spanish champions have issued heavy fines to both players rather than facilitating a summer transfer. President Florentino Pérez led a disciplinary investigation that resulted in €500,000 (£432,000) fines for each player, but the club remains firm that both remain integral to their long-term plans.
Training ground incident and disciplinary action
As first reported by the Independent, a verbal disagreement between Tchouaméni and Valverde, 27, escalated over two days in early May. Sky Sports reports that Valverde suffered a head injury after accidentally striking a table during the argument, requiring hospital treatment for craniocerebral trauma. Despite the severity of the incident, Valverde clarified his position via a club statement: "At no point did my teammate hit me; I didn't hit him either. I feel that my anger about the situation pushed me to the point of arguing." Tchouaméni also expressed regret, apologising for the image projected of the club. The fallout comes at a sensitive time for Real Madrid, who are facing a second consecutive trophyless season and trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga.
Manchester United's pursuit and squad context
Manchester United, currently under interim manager Michael Carrick, have long viewed Tchouaméni as the "dream" successor to Casemiro. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid consider the Frenchman untouchable, despite internal friction. Tchouaméni joined Madrid for an initial €80m in 2022 and is contracted until 2028, giving the club total control over his future. For United, the rejection complicates a planned midfield overhaul under INEOS ownership. With Manuel Ugarte yet to secure a regular starting role and Casemiro’s high-wage contract reaching its end, United are desperate for an elite defensive anchor to partner Kobbie Mainoo. While Madrid's season has been underwhelming, they value Tchouaméni’s defensive volume highly; he remains one of the few players in Europe with a profile comparable to the peak years of the man he replaced in Madrid, and United will now likely have to pivot to secondary targets.
Valverde is expected to miss the upcoming El Clásico while he recovers from his injury, though both players are back in contention for the final weeks of the campaign.