Real Madrid don't go in for subtly. So when the La Liga giants decide they are interested in signing a player, the entire football world knows about it. There are no uncertain terms.
Their pursuit of Eden Hazard is a prime example. Everybody, including the Belgian star, knew Real were keen on bringing him to the Bernabeu from Chelsea. For years, there were media briefings, praise from members of the Los Blancos squad, and club legends ready to eulogise about the Blues' talisman.
Chelsea kept Hazard at Stamford Bridge for as long as they could. And when he did eventually depart for Spain in the summer of 2020, the Blues ensured it was for a fee they were happy with: £130million to be exact.
Real have a pattern in the transfer market and it is one that has proved hugely successful. Players are lured by the club's history, by their success in the European Cup, and by the money on offer. Very few are able to resist.
That brings us to Aurelien Tchouameni, the Monaco star who has caught the eye of the Spanish super club.
It was back in October that the France international's face was plastered across the front page of Marca. The headline read: Tchouameni's worth €60million (£49.9million). Monaco ready to negotiate over the midfielder.
Again, not exactly subtle. Yet it had the desired effect as it caught the attention of Tchouameni and his family. The seed had very much been planted.
"I was in Paris, after the Nations League," Tchouameni told L'Equpe in November. "And I see that I have been called by everyone. What is this story?
"My father phones me, we talk about everything, and he sent Marca’s front page to me. I went on Twitter and saw it too.”
Real's interest in Tchouameni is genuine and – again according to Marca – the club's chief scout, Juni Calafat, has held discussions with the Frenchman's representatives in Monaco over a potential move in the summer.
The report adds Los Blancos lead the race for the 22-year-old and state the reason why is their previous communication with the player. Yet football.london understands no club has spent longer pursuing Tchouameni than Chelsea.
It is with Monaco that Tchouameni has blossomed into one of Europe's standout young players but he began his career with Bordeaux; the midfielder made 37 appearances before signing with the Monegasques in January 2020 for a fee worth up to £17million.
Prior to his switch to the Stade Louis II, however, it's understood Chelsea had registered their interest in Tchouameni and have since closely followed his development.
The Blues could have pulled the trigger on a deal for Tchouameni last summer after holding talks with his agent Jonathan Kebe, who also represents Jules Kounde, the Sevilla centre-back who Chelsea attempted to sign.
However, it has been reported that one of the key factors as to why the European champions didn't push for Tchouameni is that it was felt he needed another campaign developing in Ligue 1.
A mistake? Perhaps, especially as former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas had already given Tchouameni glowing praise.
"I immediately said to myself [after joining the club] that this guy was very good," Fabregas told L’Equipe in August. "My favourite thing about him is his attitude, he asks questions all the time. We can see that he wants to progress."
Tchouameni has played a more defensively-minded role for Monaco this term, one that has showcased his ability to reclaim the ball but has hidden some of the attacking instincts in his game. He can play as a number six or as a box-to-box eight; versatility that would be appreciated by Thomas Tuchel and useful to Chelsea given their history of churning through head coaches.
A move for Tchouameni in the summer will not come cheap – Monaco have reportedly set their asking price at around £68million and that could be raised if the French star continues to stand out during the second half of the campaign.
It is not beyond Chelsea's financial means to meet that. Yet nor is it out of Real Madrid's. The battle will very much be on and there may be other interested clubs at the table too.
The Blues will hope the groundwork laid down over the years with Tchouameni gives them an edge. However, what is likely to be a bigger deciding factor is the potential to win, to celebrate trophy success.
"I have goals, dreams, a desire to play for the best clubs, to win titles, to impact my sport and my position,” Tchouameni told L'Equipe in November.
"I want to leave a mark. It’s not just about playing football, earning money, titles here and there, and then doing something else with my life – I don’t want to end my career like an average player, and to be forgotten."
