KEY POINTS

  • Tchouameni is contracted with Monaco until 2024
  • He helped Monaco finish third in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season
  • Tchouameni has netted five goals this term

Liverpool FC and Real Madrid are in a race to sign AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of the 2022 summer market.

Tchouameni has told Liverpool he is ready to move to Anfield in the summer but has asked for a few more days to make a final decision, reported French media outlet RMC Sport. However, International Business Times could not verify it independently.

The report has also claimed that Tchouameni has agreed to terms with Real Madrid as well. The player is expected to announce his decision before the end of the week. Liverpool and Real Madrid will now have to negotiate a deal with Monaco. The club wants $85 million for the defensive midfielder, who is contracted with the Ligue 1 side until 2024.

The likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have also shown interest in 22-year-old Tchouameni, who is believed to choose a move to Liverpool over Real Madrid, according to talkSport.

Liverpool's regular midfielders James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are all past 30. Jurgen Klopp and Co. have identified Tchouameni as their No. 1 priority signing for the 2022 summer window as the young midfielder is considered one of the rising stars of his generation.

In 50 competitive appearances for Monaco in the 2021-22 season, Tchouameni scored five goals and three assists as he helped his side finish third in Ligue 1 and bagged a Champions League spot for a second straight season.

Aurelien Tchouameni (R) in action for Monaco against Sparta Prague recently
Aurelien Tchouameni (R) in action for Monaco against Sparta Prague recently AFP / Valery HACHE

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Real Madrid are set to face off against each other in the Champions League final on May 28 in Paris. When the last time these two sides played each other on the same stage, in the 2017-18 season, the Los Blancos lifted the coveted trophy. Liverpool, however, won the trophy the following season.

The Reds lost the Premier League title by just a point Sunday as Manchester City successfully defended their English top-flight trophy. Earlier this year, Real Madrid had sealed the La Liga race with four games to spare.

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