Liverpool appear to have suffered a huge blow after it was reported that transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni has decided to join Real Madrid instead of making the move to the Premier League, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey.
The Lowdown: Tchouameni profiled
The 22-year-old first joined AS Monaco on an initial five-year deal from Bordeaux in January 2020 and he since gone on to make 95 appearances for his current employers, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists during that time, as per Transfermarkt.
The Reds had previously held talks with the maestro, with 90min claiming that the Merseyside club, alongside top-flight rivals Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, made contact with Monaco to register their interest in securing his services.
However, the Frenchman has revealed his next destination, and it doesn’t involve a move to England.
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The Latest: Decision made
In a new post on his Twitter profile, Bailey reported Tchouameni’s decision to join Liverpool’s Champions League final opponents, writing: “Aurelien Tchouameni heading to Real Madrid; Liverpool and Chelsea informed of decision. Big blow for Liverpool and Chelsea – Tchouameni is a very special player.”
Expanding in his article for 90min, the journalist stated that the Merseysiders had made the eight-cap France international one of their ‘top summer targets’ and were even confident that the deal was ‘90% done’ just a few weeks ago, but sources have now told the website that the £19k-per-week star has ‘decided to join Real’.
The Verdict: Missed opportunity
The news that Tchouameni has chosen not to take up the option of signing for Liverpool must come as a huge blow for the Anfield outfit, who have clearly been long-time admirers of the player.
The 6 foot 1 talisman, who was once dubbed “pure gold” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, has hugely impressed for Monaco this season, averaging 2.9 interceptions, 2.5 tackles and 1.6 shots per league game, via WhoScored, highlighting the impact that he can have at both ends of the pitch.
With Jordan Henderson, Thiago and James Milner all 30 or older, the Reds could have done with signing someone like 22-year-old Tchouameni in the middle of the park. However, with him seemingly off to Madrid, it’s now time for FSG to be looking at bolstering their ranks elsewhere ahead of the 2022/23 season.
In other news… Liverpool will reportedly ‘listen to offers’ for one first-team star this summer