Liverpool Likely To Suffer Blow As Their No. 1 Target Opts For Real Madrid Move [Details]

Liverpool FC have reportedly suffered a major blow as their No. 1 target of the summer Aurelien Tchouameni has decided to join Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are close to signing Tchouameni on a five-year contract, unnamed sources have informed ESPN. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently.

Monaco have labeled midfielder Tchouameni at around $85 million. But Real Madrid believe the asking price is excessive for the 22-year-old player and are looking to negotiate with the Ligue 1 club, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

Tchouameni is set to be the second player to move to Santiago Bernabeu in the 2022 summer after the club secured Chelsea center-back Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer. Real Madrid were close to landing Kylian Mbappe, who would have joined them as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

However, Mbappe recently made a massive u-turn and instead opted to stay at PSG. He signed a new deal that would keep him at Parc des Princes until 2025. Following this, Real Madrid have made Tchouameni their priority signing for the 2022 summer window.

Tchouameni is contracted with Monaco until 2024. While the club wants the French midfielder to stay, he has decided not to renew his contract as he wants to begin the next part of his career elsewhere. He has already communicated his move to the Spanish capital to his Monaco teammates, according to talkSport via Telefoot.

It was earlier reported that since Liverpool’s regular midfielders James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are all past 30, Jurgen Klopp and Co. had 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.

Liverpool and Real Madrid are scheduled to face off against each other in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday in Paris.