Liverpool were rejected by Aurelien Tchouameni back in June after the 23-year-old chose to join Real Madrid instead.
The France international turned down interest from the Reds in order to seal an £85.3m move to Spain, something he actually admitted when speaking to Le Parisien.
Tchouameni said: “The first to come forward was Liverpool. We had discussions. Then Real arrived, and in my head everything was clear. It was Real and not another. It’s the biggest club in the world.”
Now – however – the Frenchman is struggling.
What’s the story?
Well, Tchouameni was thrust into the spotlight when Casemiro left Real Madrid shortly after his arrival.
It seems as if the £85.3m man is struggling to fill the Brazilian’s shoes, with one of Spain’s biggest news outlets – AS – claiming “something is wrong” with the man who rejected Liverpool.
The Spanish news outlet believe Tchouameni is “finding it difficult” at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It is said that the Rouen-born maestro is offering very little to Carlo Ancelotti both in attack as well as defensively, with his statistics in the latter department down on what they were for Monaco last season.
In regards to his attacking numbers, Tchouameni is not known as a prolific goalscorer, but even he would agree that his return of zero goals and two assists in 29 appearances so far this term is not good enough.
Liverpool still need a Tchouameni alternative
Some may argue that Liverpool have dodged a bullet here.
While we wouldn’t go that far – as we expect Tchouameni to come good eventually – it does seem as if Liverpool have avoided a very expensive mistake at a time where finances are tight at Anfield, and Jürgen Klopp needs an instant solution to his midfield issues.
The emergence of Stefan Bajcetic has eased the problem somewhat, although Liverpool still need to find themselves a Tchouameni alternative this summer.
In truth, Klopp probably needs two new central midfielders, as Jordan Henderson and James Milner aren’t getting any younger, while Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thiago are very injury prone.
Hopefully, Tchouameni can improve in Madrid, but Klopp surely won’t feel as bad as he did about missing out with the Frenchman now struggling.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
