Chelsea continue to be linked with a big-money move for a central midfielder in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Blues have a couple of midfielders who could leave the club at the end of the season and Thomas Tuchel will be looking for reinforcements.
One man that Chelsea are looking at is Aurelien Tchouameni - and the west London club have been for some time. football.london reported in January that the Blues have spent more time looking at the AS Monaco midfielder than any other club have.
With this being said, football.london takes a look and rounds up the very latest transfer news regarding the 22-year-old.
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Erik ten Hag's Man United interested
Soon-to-be new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told Richard Arnold and co on the Red Devils board that he would like Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni as his first transfer signing in his major rebuild.
According to ESPN, The Dutch manager is very 'keen' on the Les Bleus international to be one of his first signings in his new project at Old Trafford as Ten Hag could really shuffle the pack in his first summer transfer window in charge. Whoever was to win this transfer race would have to pay a reported £83m for Paul Pogba's good friend with current manager Niko Kovac informing interested clubs of the 'progress' the midfielder has made during 2021/22.
"He's a player who has made great progress," the former Bayern Munich manager said via talkSPORT. "He listens a lot to what is said to him and wants to learn and improve with each training session. He's a very humble person.
"He uses each video session to learn more every day, to find out what was good and what was not good. Today he's a France international but I think he needs to keep it as it is - simple. Everyone shines the spotlight on him but I think he has to keep it simple, so as not to get lost and do more than what is asked of him. For me, he is already the best midfielder in Ligue 1 today."
Real Madrid 'confident' of move
According to the report from Spanish outlet AS via the Liverpool Echo, Real Madrid are confident in signing Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni despite rumoured interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
The 22-year-old central midfielder is widely seen as one of the most talented young players in Europe after starring for Ligue 1 side Monaco in the last two seasons and is valued at just more than £50million.
£83million price-tag revealed
Chelsea target Tchouameni has a price-tag of £83million
football.london reported in January that Chelsea have spent more time keeping an eye on the 22-year-old than any other club. The Monaco star has just over two years remaining on his contract at Stade Louis II and is being strongly linked with an exit in the summer.
Real Madrid, though, are also thought to be interested in Tchouameni, with Los Blancos looking to build for the future with their main three midfielders - Luka Modric (36), Toni Kroos (32) and Casemiro (30) - all over the age of 30. According to a fresh report from Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid have now 'decided to go after' Tchouameni and negotiations between the club and Monaco have seen 'advances in recent weeks'.
The talented France international will not be cheap, though, despite there being just over two years left on his contract. According to a report from Marca, via the Daily Mail, earlier this year, Monaco are demanding £83million for their prized asset.
Chelsea currently have N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, who are 31 and 30 respectively, whose futures at the club are uncertain. The Blues duo both see their contracts at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of next season and could look to move away from west London in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Real Madrid decision
Aurelien Tchouameni reportedly wants to move to Real Madrid despite Chelsea being linked with a move for his services. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder has been in superb form this season, attracting interest from Europe's top clubs.
Tchouameni has just over two years remaining on his current contract with Monaco and is said to be keen on leaving the Ligue 1 club. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been linked with the France international, but one side seems to have the advantage at the moment, according to AS.
Tuchel stance
Tuchel is eager to strengthen his midfield options in the summer and his eagerness to land Tchouameni is only growing stronger according to reports. In an article from Marca on the midfield star, the Spanish outlet have reported that Tuchel wants Chelsea to sign the 21-year-old 'at all costs'.
Chelsea ready summer bid
According to a report from Goal, Chelsea are 'increasingly interested' in signing Tchouameni and could make an official move for the midfielder when the season ends. The Blues are said to be scouting the France international intensely at the moment, however, Chelsea also remain keen on Declan Rice - with it likely to be one or the other rather than both.
Liverpool enter race
If Chelsea are to sign the midfielder they will have to fend off some fierce competition, the latest of which comes from Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. The Athletic previously reported that the Merseyside giants are pondering a move for the youngster to shore up an area of weakness and it could pose a threat to Chelsea's chances.
Man United stance
According to The Athletic, there is currently a "lot more competition" for the midfielder, with Tchouameni continuing to catch the eye with his impressive performances in Ligue 1. That certainly appears to be the case. A number of Europe's most prominent clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the youngster, making it somewhat more difficult to convince Tchouameni of a future move to Stamford Bridge.
His current contract at the Stade Louis II is set to run until the summer of 2024 so the Ligue 1 outfit are not yet in a position where they realistically have to sell but with a number of interested parties, it is hard to envisage them retaining the services of the promising youngster. Chelsea will hope then they can edge themselves ahead and follow through on their long-standing interest in the Frenchman.
Tchouameni opens up on future
Tchouameni has admitted that he was left flattered by rumours of a move away from Monaco. The 22-year-old has had his own say on rumours linking him with a move away from his current employers.
Whilst admitting that he was flattered by any potential interest, Tchouameni has insisted that he does not allow any speculation to alter his focus. Talking to French publication L’Equipe, he said: "I remember I was in Paris, after the Nations League. I woke up and my phone had blown up.
"My father called me, we talked about everything and he told me that I was on the front page of Marca. I went on Twitter and saw for myself. I told him it was cool, but what does it actually matter? It doesn't. The front page of Marca will not define me or allow me to perform well in matches. It's not real life, but it is the media world, the football business. They talk about me today but tomorrow, they'll be talking about another.
"In the dressing room, they put the cover up and laughed' 'Oh, you're leaving us already?' It's flattering, but I don't wake up in the morning thinking about it."
Juventus boost
Tchouameni has been touted in the direction of Inter Milan and Serie A in the past amid ongoing links to the Premier League. Tchouameni's former agent Gregoire Akcelrod has revealed that Serie A could have been a past destination for his client, therefore indirectly hinting that Juve could be more of a suitable destination for the player himself rather than the Blues.
He stated to Get Italian Football News: "I met Inter Milan in December 2018 and they were very keen to sign him but at that time, they were burdened by FFP and they could not put too much money on him. I think the transfer could have been done for €3million-€5million (£2.5million-£4.3million).
"And I think that I have regrets now – when I see his development and how he’s playing with the national team in the final against Spain. Inter showed a lot of interest like a few other European clubs, who also wanted to move for him.
"But Aurelien wanted to go step by step – first play for Bordeaux’s first team as he came from their academy. It was a good choice to move to Monaco and after Monaco, it will be a big chance for him to go a bigger club in Italy or England.”
Pogba validation
Chelsea were reportedly 'in the lead' to beat Manchester United and Real Madrid in the race to sign Tchouameni from Monaco back in November. According to Spanish news outlet Marca [via Sport Witness], the midfielder is a target for United, Los Blancos and the Blues - who took the lead in the race for his signature.
Tchouameni, as quoted in Marca, has been described as the 'sensation of the season' and there is a 'race' to land his services in the summer, with Chelsea becoming increasingly impressed with the France international and their interest has become 'urgent'. One of his Les Bleus team-mates who is particularly fond of Tchouameni is Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Speaking to broadcaster RTL in September, quoted by Ouest-France, Pogba said: "Very very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man. Pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality. We wish him to play lots of matches, and that I am always at his side."
