Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Real Madrid has reached an agreement with Aurélien Tchouaméni to extend his contract until the summer of 2031. This renewal comes as a direct result of manager José Mourinho’s explicit desire to keep the French star as a cornerstone of his new project at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Tchouaméni had recently received several lucrative offers, most notably from Manchester United. These bids emerged amid non-stop rumors suggesting that Real Madrid’s board would not have minded his departure, especially following his heated altercation with Federico Valverde last season.
Mourinho Blocks Tchouaméni’s Departure
Romano pointed out that upon Mourinho’s arrival as the new Merengues boss, he immediately informed President Florentino Pérez that keeping Tchouaméni was an absolute necessity. The Portuguese tactician emphasized that losing the midfielder would be an irreplaceable loss, regardless of any potential summer signings.
Ultimately, Real Madrid negotiated the renewal with Tchouaméni, and the player agreed to stay. The new deal guarantees him an annual salary of €13 million, placing him in the top tier of the highest earners within Los Blancos.
The Valverde Factor and Midfield Harmony
In the same context, Tchouaméni’s extension does not mean Valverde will leave. Mourinho has also insisted on the Uruguayan international staying with the team. The manager believes he can defuse the tension between the two stars and utilize both perfectly in the upcoming season.
Valverde is currently going through a difficult period following Uruguay’s shocking group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup. He faced heavy accusations of conspiring against manager Marcelo Bielsa, which tarnished his reputation regarding locker-room behavior. Similar accusations were previously leveled against him during Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid.
On the other hand, Tchouaméni has enjoyed a convincing campaign with France, helping Les Bleus reach the quarter-finals. However, he missed the Round of 16 clash against Paraguay and will also sit out the upcoming match against Morocco due to a muscle injury.
