Arsenal transfer news: Valverde could leave Real Madrid after Tchouameni altercation, Gunners among five clubs chasing him

Arsenal are among five prominent clubs to have expressed significant interest in Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.

The Uruguay international was involved in a serious incident on Thursday when an altercation with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni at the training ground turned ugly. During the confrontation, Valverde slipped and struck his head hard against a table in the dressing room, requiring immediate hospital treatment.

The injury was not directly inflicted by his French colleague, and Valverde himself denied any punches were thrown. Doctors diagnosed a head injury and ordered complete bed rest for ten to fourteen days. Real Madrid's hierarchy launched a disciplinary investigation and handed both players a €500,000 fine.

Five Clubs on Alert

Tchouameni returned to training the following day and went on to play the full ninety minutes in Sunday's El Clasico, in which Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona at Camp Nou. With the Spanish club's final game of the season scheduled for 24th May, the injured Valverde may not feature again this campaign.

TEAMtalk report that Arsenal greatly admire the 27-year-old and are keen to bring him to north London. Chelsea and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation closely, while Paris Saint-Germain are targeting midfield reinforcements with Valverde in mind. According to Bitbol, Bayern Munich complete the five-strong group of elite suitors.

Mourinho Plays Down Madrid Links

Any transfer decisions at Real Madrid are expected to be deferred until Jose Mourinho takes charge. The experienced Portuguese boss is currently managing Benfica and remains the favourite to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa at the Bernabeu, though he continues to play down the speculation publicly.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Mourinho said: “There are still people talking about Real Madrid, but I am avoiding it. I honestly ran away. I had no contact whatsoever, neither with the president nor with any of the important people in the structure. And by my own decision — a decision similar to others I have had in my career, especially now in the final stages of the season — I do not speak to anyone. I have not had any contact with Real Madrid at all, and I will not have any until the last league game against Estoril. Then there is a window of about a week where I will have the freedom to speak to whoever I feel I want to speak to. All the stories that have come out, demands, meetings, that is all speculation.”