So, it’s official. Liverpool will face Real Madrid in Paris, as they aim to get revenge for the 2018 Champions League final defeat in Kyiv.
If the Reds conquer the Spanish giants in France on May 28th, they will secure their seventh major European cup, after lifting their sixth in Madrid in 2019.
However – in our view at least – Jürgen Klopp will receive something else in addition to the famous trophy if he can defeat Carlo Ancelotti.
What’s the story?
Well, Liverpool are said to be in talks with AS Monaco over a deal for Aurelien Tchouameni, who is one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
However, the France international – valued at £52m – is also wanted by Real Madrid.
In our view, the 22-year-old wonderkid will make his decision based on whoever wins the Champions League in Paris this month, in similar fashion to when Eden Hazard – the most in-demand player across Europe in 2012 – tweeted that he would be joining Chelsea after they lifted the trophy.
The significance of a Champions League win cannot be understated.
It is the biggest club competition around, and many players view it as the pinnacle of football, aside from the World Cup.
There really isn’t much to choose from between Liverpool and Real Madrid, so for Tchouameni, his mind could be made up on the basis of whoever reigns supreme in his homeland.
Liverpool must beat Real Madrid to Aurelien Tchouameni
£52m may seem like a lot for a 22-year-old, although we can assure you it will look like a bargain in a few years.
For example, eyebrows were raised when Borussia Dortmund paid £25m for a 17-year-old Jude Bellingham, but the England international is now valued at £100m.
If Liverpool had a time machine, they’d surely be happy to spend well over £25m on Bellingham, so they shouldn’t make the same mistake twice with Tchouameni in their sights.
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