Real Madrid have reportedly been asked to shell out a sum of €60 million if they wish to sign AS Monaco starlet and Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni.
According to a report from Spanish publication MARCA, AS Monaco have slapped a valuation of €60 million on star midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a transfer target for European giants Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Tchouameni came through the youth ranks at Bordeaux and made a solid impression after bursting into the first-team. This prompted Monaco to take a punt on him and sign him in January last year and the move has paid off for the Principality outfit as the 21-year-old has quickly become an integral member of the side.
Tchouameni was one of Monaco’s best players last season as they finished in the top four of Ligue 1. The midfielder was even named the Best Young Player of the Year for his displays for Niko Kovac’s side. He has continued in the same vein of form this term, while also establishing a foothold in the French national team.
Indeed, Tchouameni was one of France’s top players alongside Paul Pogba as Les Bleus beat Spain this past weekend to win the UEFA Nations League trophy. And his progress has not gone unnoticed with a number of top clubs across Europe for his signing, including the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid among others.
Aurélien Tchouaméni’s 2021:
May – Voted as AS Monaco’s Player of the Season while he was also named the UNFP’s Young Player of the Year. ?
September – Makes his debut for France. ??
October – Wins the Nations League with France, playing a full 90 minutes in the final. ? pic.twitter.com/zga8bedn7v
— ? (@KendricksIntern) October 10, 2021
Real Madrid’s interest in Tchouameni should not come as a surprise, despite them strengthening their midfield unit this past summer with the addition of another French sensation in the form of Eduardo Camavinga. Casemiro has no backup, whatsoever, in the defensive midfield role as things stand at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In addition to that, Luka Modric is not getting any younger while his contract also runs out at the end of the ongoing campaign. With Toni Kroos also entering his thirties, and Dani Ceballos not part of the plans, another midfield addition would bode well for Carlo Ancelotti & co. as they look to restore the glory days at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, however, will need to shell out at least €60 million to secure Tchouameni’s signing as per the aforementioned report. But that’s not the only obstacle in their path, as they will also have to face stiff competition from European champions, Chelsea.
Chelsea have been the most strongly linked with Tchouameni in recent weeks. A move would be understandable as well, despite the plenty of options at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal in midfield. N’Golo Kante is into his thirties and has had a lot of injury issues of late while Jorginho’s agent continues to flirt with a return to Italy.
With there being no certainty that Saul Niguez’s loan deal will be made permanent, Chelsea could use with another midfield signing in the summer next year. Tchouameni could thus be the ideal option to be groomed into the long-term successor for Kante at Stamford Bridge. To that end, the Blues have already made contact with Monaco to try and work out a deal, making things tricky for Real Madrid.
Apart from Chelsea, the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in the Frenchman. So, it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid continue their pursuit of Tchouameni or look at other targets, with AC Milan’s Franck Kessie also being linked.