Manchester United’s chances of signing Aurelien Tchouameni have risen sharply after Real Madrid made a major U-turn over his future, with three sources now offering fresh updates on the situation.

Man Utd view Tchouameni as their dream option to replace Casemiro in the No 6 role. The Red Devils have already brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer and now want an elite midfielder like Tchouameni to complete the rebuild.

Over the past few weeks, United had been told that Madrid would not sell the France star and that he would instead sign a new deal at the Bernabeu.

However, Jose Mourinho’s desire for Madrid to sign Rodri from Manchester City has changed the picture completely. The Sun’s United correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst, reported on Friday that Los Blancos are ‘willing to sell Tchouameni’ for €80million (£68m) in order to finance a move for Rodri.

Madrid are ‘prepared to cash in’ on Tchouameni, even though a new contract has been ‘verbally agreed’.

BBC Sport’s United reporter, Simon Stone, has also indicated that Madrid are becoming more open to the idea of selling the 26-year-old.

‘And it seems Real Madrid are willing to discuss Aurelien Tchouameni’s situation amid claims they want to sign World Cup winner Rodri from Manchester City,’ he wrote.

Stone did, however, point out that ‘Tchouameni’s likely salary and potential transfer fee directly contradict United’s aim of keeping control of budgets’. That is because Michael Carrick is also looking for a new left winger and centre-forward.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Madrid will have to sell a major name to afford new arrivals, although he did not specifically identify Tchouameni as the player likely to depart.

“Yan Diomande, Rodri, financially are completely separate topics for Real Madrid,” the journalist said.

“And in order for these deals to happen, Real Madrid need fresh money, they need outgoings.

“For example if they decide to bring in Rodri, they need to generate money. So we need to understand who could be on the way out of Real Madrid.”

Vinicius Junior is another possible departure from Madrid, with Arsenal exploring a sensational transfer for the Brazilian superstar, according to David Ornstein.

Back at United, Tchouameni is on their midfield shortlist along with Manu Kone (Roma), Carlos Baleba (Brighton), Sander Berge (Fulham) and Tyler Adams (Bournemouth).

United have held ‘concrete negotiations’ with Kone’s agents, according to Romano, although they are yet to open talks with Roma.

Romano has also dismissed claims that INEOS have started talks for Botafogo midfielder Danilo, insisting that it was actually the player’s camp who approached United.

At present, Tchouameni, Kone and Baleba appear to be the most likely names to head to Old Trafford and complete United’s midfield overhaul.