Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Huge blow for Liverpool as Aurelien Tchouameni spurns Julian Ward and agrees blockbuster transfer elsewhere – report

Aurelien Tchouameni, Monaco press conference, before Ligue 1 match v PSG

Liverpool are seemingly set to miss out on their No 1 transfer target of the summer with Aurelien Tchouameni reportedly having agreed a massive move elsewhere.

The Reds are expected to focus on quality over quantity this summer with only some fine tuning made to their squad. With Fabio Carvalho already signed and sealed, their next and only focus is expected to be on a new midfielder. And with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and quite possibly James Milner departing this summer, there will be a hole to fill in their squad.

As such, Liverpool have reportedly made a strong push to bring Tchouameni to Anfield.

The Monaco midfielder has made the breakthrough into the France squad this season, amid some eye-catching displays in Ligue 1. That form has seen a number of big-name suitors come looking to prise him away.

And with a deal that expires in summer 2024, Monaco chief Paul Mitchell admits his side are vulnerable to his sale.

“I don’t have a preference to be honest [over who he joins],” Mitchell told RMC Sport. “Of course, an important fee is needed. Offers have to be very aggressive if they want us to sell a top player like Tchouameni.”

However, with Real Madrid also looks as though it would come down to a straight choice between the Champions League finalists.

Tchouameni himself recently addressed his future and appeared open to a move away.

“It’s true that there are a lot of people that are hoping to see me stay,” he said. “That makes me happy because it shows that I’m doing good work.

“As I’ve said before, what is certain is that there is one more match in Monegasque colours against Lens. And after that we’ll see what happens.”

Tchouameni agrees Real Madrid transfer

Now RMC Sport claims to have the inside scoop on Tchouameni’s next club. And despite earlier nods to Liverpool, it seems new sporting director Julian Ward’s advances have been rejected.

Indeed, the French outlet claims Tchouameni has agreed a five-year deal to move instead to Los Blancos. They claim he will move in a £68.6m (€80m) fee, and will become Carlo Ancelotti’s marquee signing of the summer.

Another French outlet, Telefoot, provides even more details of the transfer. They claim Tchouameni has already communicated his move to the Spanish capital to his Monaco teammates, having said his goodbyes.

Real Madrid needed a big-name signing

Having missed out on both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid are in need of a blockbuster signing to appease their fans.

Incredibly, it has been some years now since the LaLiga giants pulled off one of those Galactico-type signings they become known for.

Instead, they have operated in a far-more modest transfer market, investing instead on the game’s top upcoming talent. The signings in recent years of Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Jnr are prime examples of that.

And that is a model that has served them well, especially this season where they have won LaLiga and reached the Champions League final.

Liverpool in direct talks with Monaco for Tchouameni

Liverpool in direct talks with Monaco for Tchouameni

French journalists have confirmed Liverpool and Real Madrid are talking to AS Monaco over the signing of Tchouameni this summer

However, they were under pressure to deliver this summer in light of their long-publicised pursuit of Mbappe.

His decision, however, to sign a new deal with PSG has seemingly seem them focus all their energies on Tchouameni.

It remains to be seen if the deal will be announced prior to Saturday’s UCL final. If so, the deal will serve as another extra ingredient to what will, quite likely, be a spicy affair.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez is warning Liverpool to be wary of one Real Madrid man in particular ahead of Saturday’s final.