Writing on the Anfield Watch website, Fabrizio Romano has shared what he knows about Liverpool’s interest in Aurelien Tchouameni.
The French midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent days, and it has been reported that Monaco want at least £42m for the midfielder, a fee that could go as high as £52m if the Ligue 1 outfit qualify for the Champions League.
However, according to Romano, those reports are wide of the mark.
Indeed, the Italian says that a fee that low would have landed Tchouameni last summer, but now a far higher fee will be needed to sign the young midfielder.
What’s the story?
Romano shared an update on Tchouameni.
“Aurelien Tchouameni is certainly a player being monitored by Liverpool, who have had conversations with the agent of the Monaco midfielder. However, the €45 million price tag – set last summer – is no longer valid. A far higher offer will be needed to prise Tchouameni away from France,” Romano wrote.
“But the 22-year-old is planning for a different experience this summer and that is undoubtedly why Liverpool may be ready to make their move. However, Real Madrid have been following Tchouameni for some time, and the Reds will face competition from other top clubs interested in the French international.”
Bad news
This update certainly won’t fill Liverpool supporters with much confidence.
The Reds can spend big when they want to, but after signing Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate for relatively large fees in the last 12 months, spending massively on Tchouameni may be beyond FSG and Liverpool’s ownership.
Factor in that the Merseyside club could probably get away with relying on Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho for another couple of years, and you have to think that Tchouameni may just be too expensive a signing at this moment in time.
Liverpool may well have a trick up their sleeve here, but if Tchouameni is to be that expensive, the Reds may well lose this race to Real Madrid.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
