Real Madrid 'make final decision' on selling Aurelien Tchouameni to Man Utd to fund Rodri transfer

Real Madrid have made their final decision on selling midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to fund a move for Manchester City star Rodri, it has been reported.

Rodri, who won the World Cup with Spain earlier this month, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

City want to keep him at the club but the 30-year-old is said to be keen on a return to Spain, having left Real's city rivals Atletico to move to England back in 2019.

According to Sky Sports News, Real have now made contact with City and are willing to pay between £43 and £51 million to bring him to the Bernabeu.

The Spanish giants' rebuild under new manager Jose Mourinho has so far focused on elite level experience, with Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries all signing for the club.

Rodri, a Ballon d'Or winner and now both a European and world champion, would be the summer's marquee signing alongside an expected deal for 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who is valued at over £100 million.

READ MORE: Significant Rodri to Real Madrid update drops as first details emerge over blockbuster move

Real will need to move players once those signings are complete, and The Sun report that they are now willing to part company with France international midfielder and Manchester United target Tchouameni.

United are in the midst of a midfield rebuild under new permanent head coach Michael Carrick, having already splashed out in excess of £70 million on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

But it is widely accepted that they need a third addition in that area of the pitch, and they have been heavily linked with a move for Tchouameni throughout the summer.

ESPN reported earlier this month that the 26-year-old had agreed a new contract to keep him at the Bernabeu until 2031, but a formal announcement has yet to materialise.

Instead, The Sun now claim that Real are 'prepared to cash in' on Tchouameni, having received indications of 'strong' interest from United's side.

New Real boss Mourinho, who is said to have wanted to keep the Frenchman before a move for Rodri became possible, now looks likely to directly sell a player to the club he managed between 2016 and 2018.

Who have Man Utd signed - and sold - this summer?

United's summer business so far means that a move for Tchouameni, who Real signed from Monaco for £68 million in 2022, could very well be affordable.

They have agreed deals for the aforementioned midfield pair of Andrey Santos and Tielemans, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow has arrived on a free transfer after leaving bitter rivals Leeds.

They have also signed a pair of young players for their academy sides, with forward Tynan Thompson moving from Spurs and goalkeeper Kit Margetson joining from Swansea.

On the outgoing front, United have managed to clear a reported £600,000 per week in wages off their books by releasing Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.

Tyrell Malacia has also departed on a free transfer, while Napoli activated their £38 million option to buy clause to sign Rasmus Hojlund after a successful loan spell. Andre Onana has re-signed for Trabzonspor on a second consecutive season-long loan.