Barcelona have reportedly reignited their interest in AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a target for Real Madrid and Liverpool.
According to SPORT, Barcelona have identified AS Monaco midfield mainstay Aurelien Tchouameni as one of the possible candidates to replace veteran star and club captain Sergio Busquets in the future. However, they will likely face competition from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Tchouameni has been with Monaco since January 2020 and has been a major success at the Principality outfit. The 22-year-old has not only established himself as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1, but he is also a regular in the French national team. He has become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market heading into the summer.
Indeed, Real Madrid have been hot on the trails of Tchouameni as they look for an alternative option and a long-term replacement for defensive midfielder Casemiro. Reports have indicated the midfielder himself is leaning towards a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Eduardo Camavinga’s improved performances, Dani Ceballos’ strong return and the Monaco ace’s €60 million valuation have cast doubts over Real Madrid’s pursuit of Tchouameni.
Liverpool, too, have emerged as an interested party in signing Tchouameni. The Reds have a strong midfield unit, but with Jordan Henderson and James Milner well into their thirties and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future in doubt, another fresh face in the centre of the park would bode well for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
To that end, Tchouameni has emerged as a viable target, with reports even claiming that Liverpool are leading the race for his signing. However, they will now have to contend with competition from Barcelona, who have reignited their interest in the 22-year-old Frenchman.
An important summer beckons Barcelona as they look to make their way back to the top under Xavi Hernandez. While Franck Kessie is likely to arrive in the summer to bolster their midfield unit, the Catalan giants are also seeking a long-term replacement candidate for club captain Sergio Busquets, who will be 34 by the time the next season kicks off.
To that end, they have identified three candidates, with Tchouameni among them, along with Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad and Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers. While Tchouameni would be an appealing target, his €60 million price tag could make things tricky for the Blaugrana. The added competition from Real Madrid, Liverpool and PSG will further complicate matters.
So, it remains to be seen if Barcelona press ahead with their pursuit of Tchouameni in the summer or decide to go after more affordable targets as they scour the market for an heir to Busquets.