Man Utd handed Tchouameni boost - Friday's gossip

What the report says

BBC Sport’s Friday football gossip round-up reports that Real Madrid may be prepared to let France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni leave, with Manchester United named as a possible destination. The item, attributed by BBC Sport to the Sun, frames the 26-year-old defensive midfielder as part of a wider United search for midfield reinforcements.

The BBC roundup also cites Sky Sports as saying United are looking at Roma’s France midfielder Manu Kone and Brighton’s Cameroon international Carlos Baleba. A separate Mail report listed Bournemouth and United States midfielder Tyler Adams as another option, with a valuation of about £35m. BBC Sport presented these as transfer rumours from other publishers, rather than confirmed negotiations or completed deals.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are said to be assessing defensive targets after William Saliba’s injury, with former Manchester City defender John Stones and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa mentioned in reporting attributed to Sky Sports. Chelsea are described, via the Telegraph, as leading the chase for Bayer Leverkusen teenager Kerim Alajbegovic, while the Athletic is cited on Chelsea’s agreement to sign FC Dallas winger Benji Flowers when he turns 18.

The column also highlighted reported movement around several other clubs: Arsenal and Manchester City interest in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, Liverpool defender Amara Nallo’s expected loan to HJK Helsinki, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda’s planned medical before a £10m Ipswich move, Jack Harrison nearing New England Revolution, Everton interest in Celtic’s Alistair Johnston, Aston Villa interest in James Garner, and Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca’s reported interest in Chelsea pair Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto.