07 August 2023 , 11:04
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Manchester United have been linked with an audacious move for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni – a long-term transfer target for Liverpool.
French international Tchouameni was at the top of Jurgen Klopp’s wanted list last summer amid links with a move to both Anfield and Madrid. However, he opted for a move to the Spanish capital instead of the Premier League.
That move pre-empted the decision of Casemiro to leave the Santiago Bernabeu to join United. Tchouameni was viewed as a long-term replacement for the Brazilian, who within weeks called time on his career in Madrid to move to Old Trafford.
Los Blancos are well stocked in midfield with veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos complimented by arrivals in recent windows such as Eduardo Camavinga and Tchouameni. Jude Bellingham – another Liverpool target – moved to the Spanish capital this summer, while Fede Valverde also enjoys a prominent role.
Despite their recent outlay on Tchouameni and appreciation of the player’s quality, there are suggestions that they will consider cashing in on the midfielder to secure the signature of his France international teammate Kylian Mbappe in a possible world-record move from Paris Saint-Germain.
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A report in Diario Sport outlines how United are interested in Tchouameni, although it is tricky to envisage the Red Devils spending big on the player. They have already made a significant outlay to sign Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund this summer – while they have a long-standing interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
Tchouameni joined Madrid from Monaco last summer (Getty Images) Have Your Say! Where will Tchouameni be playing next season? Tell us what you think here.
Liverpool’s need for midfielder reinforcements appears to be much greater than that of their great Premier League rivals. Despite signing Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively this summer, the Reds are light in midfield numbers.
James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left as free agents before captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both moved to Saudi Arabia – meaning that at least two more additions in the position are required in the coming weeks.
However, should Tchouameni depart Madrid it appears that Bayern Munich would be in pole position to land the midfielder. According to Sport1 in Germany, Thomas Tuchel is prioritising the arrival of a top-quality midfielder while Tchouameni is said to have asked France international teammates about Bayern.
At Monaco, Tchouameni was named Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year and was named in the league’s Team of the Season for successive campaigns. That preceded his big-money move to the Spanish capital last summer, where he has yet to find the net in 50 appearances.