Aurelien Tchouameni has admitted that Liverpool were the first team who wanted him last summer – but he still chose Real Madrid.
Liverpool were hoping to bolster their midfield over the summer.
We’re very used to the Jude Bellingham rumours now, but that’s with the idea of him arriving next summer.
Last summer, the focus was on Aurelien Tchouameni – but Liverpool just couldn’t secure a deal for the French star.
Aurelien Tchouameni admits Liverpool wanted him
Tchouameni has emerged as a real game-changing midfield prospect with Monaco.
The former Bordeaux talent was just outstanding last season, showing the ability to protect the back four but also go forward and play box-to-box.
A 6ft 2in midfielder with real presence, Tchouameni showed everything to suggest that he could become a star of the future.
Liverpool wanted him. They seemingly felt that Tchouameni could provide something that Jurgen Klopp didn’t quite have in his Liverpool squad.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, they pushed and pushed for Tchouameni but ended up missing out.
Real Madrid – the team who beat Liverpool in the Champions League final – forced their way in and won the race to sign Tchouameni.
A deal worth £68million plus £17million in add-ons was struck with Tchouameni heading to Spain rather than Merseyside in an £85million package.
The 22-year-old has started 11 league games this season and Real appear to have their midfield duo of the future in Frenchmen Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
That decision has left Liverpool still searching for a new midfield star and they will have to hope for success with Bellingham that didn’t come with Tchouameni.
Tchouameni has now admitted to Le Parisien that Liverpool were the first team to make a move to sign him last summer.
Expected to shine at the World Cup with France, Tchouameni admitted that a move to Anfield was a possibility but it was just blown out of the water when Real Madrid came calling.
Even Paris Saint-Germain couldn’t sway Tchouameni away from Real and they managed to leave Liverpool still searching for their big midfield addition.
“The first to come forward was Liverpool. We had discussions,” said Tchouameni. “Then Real arrived. And in my head everything was clear. It was Real and not another. It’s the biggest club in the world.
“If you claim to accomplish great things, to mark the history of your sport, there is no better. So I didn’t hesitate for a second. I told my agent: as long as there is interest, we do everything to go there. I was already conditioned. When Paris showed up, my choice was already made, even if I was happy to be approached by PSG,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
