Man Utd receive huge Aurelien Tchouameni transfer update amid third midfielder hunt

Manchester United have received a major update in their continued pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Michael Carrick's side have been targeting the France midfielder throughout the summer, with The Sun reporting in July that they had received positive indications that a move would be possible if Real could complete the signing of Rodri from Manchester City.

However, Barcelona entered the race to sign Rodri last week and are now in pole position to seal the transfer.

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Real manager Jose Mourinho has been told that the club will not be targeting another defensive midfielder and that he must make do with the players he currently has.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho's reaction to Rodri's Real Madrid snub revealed as new transfer plan emerges

It was reported earlier in the window that Tchouameni had agreed to a new five-year contract with Los Blancos, though no official announcement has been made by either the club or the player.

That has led to speculation over whether the agreement exists, but Fabrizio Romano has now put paid to the rumours and revealed that a deal has been completed for Tchouameni to remain a Real Madrid player.

It means that United must look elsewhere for their third midfield signing of the window, having already completed moves for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.

"It was around April, May that United tried for Aurelien Tchouameni, because he was considered the dream signing in midfield," Romano revealed on his YouTube channel.

"Elite player, international experience, big name, used to playing at the highest level. So United wanted to try. They consider Tchouameni as the perfect midfielder to replace Casemiro.

"But - and it's a big but - Tchouameni signed a contract at Real Madrid. It's already done. The agreement is already closed.

"So Tchouameni is going to be an important part of the Jose Mourinho squad. Tchouameni signed a new contract for Real Madrid because he's really convinced about the project, so Real Madrid and Tchouameni are absolutely expected to continue together."

Jose Mourinho decides on Rodri alternative

After Real beat Hungarian side Ferencvaros 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Budapest, Mourinho addressed Bernardo Silva's arrival on a free transfer from Manchester City after he made his club debut.

The Portuguese admitted that his compatriot is being considered to play in the role that Rodri would have occupied had he signed, with Mourinho noting he 'can play in three or four positions'.

"Bernardo is a wonderful player who gives us excellent build-up with the ball, whether he plays in a deeper position or in [central] midfield," he said.

"During the match I saw that he lacks physical strength, so I moved him to the 10 position ... the 10 position is another spot where Bernardo is comfortable.

"He is the type of player who can play in three or four positions, and this is excellent for any coach. Especially since we want a small squad consisting of only 20 players, in addition to the injured such as Rodrygo, Militao and Ferland [Mendy], whom we will not be able to recover in the coming weeks."