Chelsea have opened an ‘unbridgeable advantage’ over Juventus in the transfer race for AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni, per Tuttosport, amid reported rival talks with Liverpool.
The Blues have stepped up their pursuit of the midfielder to gift Thomas Tuchel a rising star of French football.
The Bianconeri are now likely to eye an alternative target to improve Massimiliano Allegri’s side, and seek revenge in the Champions League when they travel to London on Tuesday.
Tchouameni is now almost certain to join a Premier League club, despite Monaco’s ardent desires for him to stay.
Chelsea are not alone in admiring the 21-year-old, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also attentive to his development.
But Chelsea are making moves to edge their English rivals, with offers made to Monaco and Tchouameni respectively.
The Stamford Bridge natives are willing to pay Les Monegasques €60m (£50m) and give the seven-cap technician a respectable wage.
A chance to join Tuchel’s Champions League holders seemingly appeals to the ex-Bordeaux talent, too. TEAMtalk report Tchouameni is keen to join Chelsea, despite the rival interest.
Altogether, then, Liverpool are falling behind in the transfer race to lure Tchouameni from Monaco. Despite TuttoJuve claiming they are one of a few clubs to contact his Ligue 1 side.
Chelsea to sign Liverpool and Juventus transfer target Tchouameni?
Liverpool have explored a transfer for Monaco ace Tchouameni for a number of months, but now risk missing out to Chelsea after electing against bidding during the last market.
Reports by Corriere dello Sport of Liverpool’s interest in August claimed Monaco would have sold Tchouameni for €30m (£25m).
Now, however, Marca cite an asking price of €60m and ESPN note Monaco want €50m-60m (£42m-50m) after his international debut under Didier Deschamps in September.
A price Chelsea are seemingly willing to pay to take Tchouameni away from Monaco and Liverpool’s transfer plans next year.
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