Manchester United is not signing a new midfielder but instead plans to sell one! A restriction from Sir Jim Ratcliffe is hindering the pursuit of Tchouaméni, making the deal likely to remain just a dream.

Numerous Manchester United supporters are eagerly awaiting Real Madrid to sign Rodri from Manchester City, thinking that this would lead to Tchouaméni joining the club. Nonetheless, British media caution these hopeful fans that the price tag for the French midfielder appears to be beyond Sir Jim Ratcliffe's budget.

This summer, Manchester United has consistently declined to participate in bidding wars and has refrained from spending heavily on new players. England international Elliot Anderson was Ratcliffe's primary target, but Manchester City spent £116 million to sign him, and United never made a bid. Long-time transfer targets for United, Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, joined Tottenham for £85 million and £100 million respectively.

In fact, it's not just this summer; since Ratcliffe acquired the club, Manchester United has never paid a fixed transfer fee exceeding £70 million for a single player.

Forward Mbeumo joined from Brentford for £71 million, but only £65 million of that is a fixed fee, with the remaining £6 million in add-ons. Sesko's total transfer fee is €85 million, but only €76.5 million (equivalent to £65 million) is guaranteed.

Sky Sports News reporter Danyal Khan has reported that despite people's optimistic expectations, Ratcliffe is unlikely to spend big money on a third midfielder for Manchester United. They may instead prefer to use the remaining transfer funds to sign a left-back, such as Newcastle United's Lewis Hall.

"Two midfielders have already been signed; as for whether another midfielder will be brought in, there is no final decision yet. I think United is interested, but it largely depends on how the transfer market evolves," Sky Sports reported. "I don't think we will see United spend £60-70 million on a new midfielder again. If they do, the price will certainly be much lower, and I believe United will also consider signing a left-back."

If Ratcliffe does not break the £70 million ceiling, it will certainly be insufficient to sign Tchouaméni. In fact, Manchester United even considers Manu Koné's €60 million transfer fee too expensive, let alone Tchouaméni, whose transfer from Monaco to Real Madrid already cost €80 million. Many fans always dream that Real Madrid will sell players at a discount, just as they thought relegated West Ham would sell M. Fernandes cheaply. But the reality is the opposite; almost every midfielder this summer has been overpriced.

Manchester United also has some more affordable options, such as Bournemouth's American captain Tyler Adams and Fulham's Norwegian international Sander Berge, who are cost-effective types. Unfortunately, the Red Devils seem to look down on them again.

Carrick might not bring in any more new midfielders, but the club still intends to sell current player Toby Collyer. This academy graduate, who was valued by former manager Ten Hag, has been allowed to make a permanent transfer this summer.

Collyer, aged 22, played in the first two pre-season matches but was later sent to the second team to play U21 level games. The Sun reports that several Championship clubs are interested in him, and a transfer to a mid-to-lower Premier League team, such as promoted Hull City where he was on loan last season, is also a possibility.

talkSPORT radio reports that the arrivals of Tielemans and Andre Santos have pushed Collyer further away from first-team games, and his ranking is even behind younger competitor Tyler Fletcher. Collyer's contract with United expires next year, and Transfermarkt values him at €5 million.

Another academy midfielder, Jacob Devaney, may also leave the club this summer, but Manchester United is considering sending him out on loan again for further development.