Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United opted against entering a bidding war for Mateus Fernandes in order to have the funds available for Aurelien Tchouameni.
That is, of course, if the Real Madrid star is made available for sale this transfer window.
United end Fernandes pursuit after Spurs agree club-record bid
It was confirmed yesterday that United would not be signing Fernandes after Tottenham Hotspur agreed to meet West Ham’s pricey £85 million demands.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham Hotspur win race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. Spurs submitted highest proposal (believed to be ~£85m guaranteed) & 21yo #WHUFC midfielder opted to join #THFC. Numbers beyond where #MUFC willing to go @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/8JMyfl8LoS
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 30, 2026
In addition, the 21-year-old will reportedly be earning ‘silly money’ at Spurs, which would’ve thrown off INEOS’ newly implemented wage structure.
Fernandes, while a promising prospect with two seasons’ worth of Premier League experience to his name, has now overseen back-to-back relegations from the top flight, and will be joining the side that’s also finished 17th-placed in both of those campaigns.
What’s the latest on Tchouameni?
In the meantime, Tchouameni faces an uncertain future with Madrid, as Jose Mourinho prepares for a midfield overhaul following his return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
His notorious bust-up with counterpart Federico Valverde mightn’t have put either of them in the best standing in the new manager’s estimations, so United will perhaps be hoping they can benefit from the situation.
Real Madrid announce that have opened disciplinary proceedings against Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni.
A fight broke out between the players in training on Thursday with Valverde ending up in the hospital needing stitches, per multiple reports.
Valverde has been… pic.twitter.com/SFqXCOhQ68
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 7, 2026
They have been admirers of the Frenchman since he began making a name for himself at AS Monaco, with a two-year stint that made him one of the most coveted stars in Europe in 2022.
Madrid then came out on top for his signature when agreeing an £86 million package with Monaco.
Tchouameni, now 26, put pen to paper on a six-year deal in Madrid, meaning he will enter the penultimate season of his contract when 2026/2027 gets underway.
Real Madrid respond immediately with an exquisite finish from Aurelien Tchouameni 🔥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/uKDAL8bDi0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2026
Ferdinand reacts…
Reacting to the transfer developments regarding Fernandes on Tuesday, Ferdinand said on his Rio Meets podcast: “I think Man United are holding the money back for one man, and that’s Tchouameni.
“If he becomes available in this market, Man United are not gonna miss – they can’t afford to miss with that one.”
Matheus Fernandes to Spurs! Rio shares his view pic.twitter.com/uAu9Suumvo
— Rio Ferdinand Presents (@RioMeets) June 30, 2026
Author
