Arsenal are reportedly set to renew their interest in Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, making the 23-year-old Frenchman their top target for 2024.
According to Football Transfer’ journalist Steve Kay, Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid ace Aurelian Tchouameni and will reignite their interest in the Frenchman in 2024 as they look to complete their midfield rebuild that they started last summer.
The Gunners hold a long-standing interest in the 23-year-old Frenchman and even enquired about signing him last summer, but were politely told the player is “not for sale.”
Given Tchouameni’s impressive performances at the Bernabeu, Madrid were hesitant to let him go. However, things are expected to be different next summer, with Los Merengues expected to spend heavily.
They are eyeing a big arrival at striker, with Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen both linked already. Madrid are also reportedly keeping tabs on Jamal Musiala, among others, as they look to rebuild their squad.
La Liga has strict financial control regulations for their clubs in order to prevent them from falling into debt. As such, Los Blancos will likely have to make a few sizeable sales, and midfield is an area that’s supposedly well-stocked. This could offer Arsenal an opportunity to go back in for Tchouameni next summer, albeit this will be a difficult deal to get over the line.
Touchameni only joined Los Blancos from AS Monaco in the summer of 2022, with over four years still remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu. He was a regular starter during his debut campaign and has cemented himself as a valuable member of both Carlo Ancelotti’s side and the France national team, earning 28 caps for his country.
With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric now 33 and 37 years old, respectively, Tchouameni, alongside Jude Bellingham and Edouardo Camavinga, is dubbed the future of Madrid’s midfield. So, although competition for places in the engine room has increased lately, it wouldn’t make sense for him to leave the Spanish capital now.
However unrealistic it might be, there’s no doubt he would be an exceptional addition to Mikel Arteta’s side and could take them to the next level, as he’s a player that could encourage the former West Ham captain to reach his best form in north London.
Standing at 6ft 2in, Tchouameni possesses an imposing physical presence and a combative and relentless ball-winning mentality.
His intelligent reading of the game allows him to break up opposition attacks effectively, while his composure in the engine room could allow Rice to explore more advanced areas of his game while having a trusted anchor in a pivot with him to mediate the transition between defence and attack.
The midfielder’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium would provide a long-term solution for the midfield, especially considering the ageing profile of some of their current midfield options, with Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny approaching the latter stages of their careers, while injury-prone Thomas Partey is unlikely to be handed a contract extension amidst Saudi Pro League interest.
It usually takes a lot of effort to tempt a player to leave Real Madrid, but if enough cards fall into place between now and the end of the season, this rumour may be one to keep an eye on next summer.
