Liverpool interest in signing French destroyer ‘genuine’ with Real Madrid battle on the horizon

Liverpool are aware of Real Madrid’s threat to their transfer plans after a report insisted their interest in signing France ace Aurelien Tchouameni is real.

Tchouameni, 22, is a name drawing ever more frequent links to English sides. Indeed, the Monaco midfielder has been mentioned alongside moves to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool by one outlet or another. And given his gawdy statistics, it’s easy to see why.

Tchouamani has developed a reputation for being an attacker’s worst nightmare. The chief disruptor regularly tops the tackles and interceptions charts in France.

By mid-April, Tchouameni had already racked up an incredible 159 tackles and interceptions combined this season. For context, Fred and Scott McTominay had 178 between them at that time.

His defensive prowess has also seen him become a mainstay in Didier Deschamps’ France side. He has eight caps to his name since making his debut in 2021 and has kept N’Golo Kante out of the eleven on occasion.

Unsurprisingly, links with a step up from Monaco have emerged and ESPN recently claimed the French outfit are open to his sale this summer.

A €60m-€70m transfer fee (roughly £50m-£58m) will be sought and ESPN claimed new United boss Erik ten Hag is interested.

However, Foot Mercato then reported Liverpool have made contact with Tchouameni’s camp. That was the logical next step after the Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Tchouameni was a scouting target for the Reds in January.

Now, according to the Times, Liverpool’s interest is genuine.

Respected journalist confirms Tchouameni interest

Their article – written by the respected Paul Joyce – focuses mainly on the news Liverpool are in talks with Jurgen Klopp over a contract extension.

However, deep within the piece is the acknowledgement their Tchouameni transfer interest is real.

Liverpool are described as liking the Frenchman a lot and are fully aware of Real Madrid’s threat to their plans.

Los Blancos too are impressed with the Frenchman. He could conceivably be seen as the long-term successor to Casemiro if signed.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd & Man City eye Monaco star

Aurelien Tchouameni is available this summer for only £50m as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all ready to bid for the French midfielder.

A potential move this summer will reportedly depend on a variety of factors, chief of which is price.

Should the Frenchman evade their clutches, Liverpool won’t abandon their plans to add depth to their midfield altogether.

The report adds an alternative player with a physical profile similar to Tchouameni’s would be targeted.