Aurelien Tchouameni is a young superstar for AS Monaco and France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t The Sun), Chelsea have been handed a massive blow as Aurelien Tchouameni prefers to move to La Liga amidst interest from Barcelona for a future transfer. He is in line to become one of the hottest prospects at the end of this season as “half of Europe” wants to secure his signature.
The Blues have already held meetings with Tchouameni’s entourage as they look to get ahead of their competitors. They are not alone as Manchester United have also engaged in talks with his camp for a future move. Barcelona and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the situation as well ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old will see his current contract with AS Monaco expire in the summer of 2024. The French side will demand as much as £50million to facilitate a move ahead of next season. However, the defensive midfielder himself has his eyes set on a transfer to Spain, which would be a massive blow to the Premier League clubs.
This piece of news would be concerning, to say the least, as we could potentially lose out on one of the future superstars in Europe. The youngster has the quality to boost our midfield from the get-go while also being a prospect for the future.
The Blues board has done well by keeping constant updates on the current situation of the Ligue 1 prospect. However, all that effort could be in vain due to his preference to move to Spain. Fortunately for us, Barca can only sign him in 2023 if he is available at that point, as they are priced out of a move this summer.
Real have focused their attention on finalising a transfer for Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain after this term. That being said, they could still target the Monaco ace despite their priority lying elsewhere. Hence, we must not lose our sight and keep going if our apparent interest in Tchouameni is real and solid.
With Jorginho and N’Golo Kante ageing by the season, we must plan for the future and protect our interests in the middle of the park. Tchouameni is an able operator in midfield- one who is assured in possession and a welcome presence in the defensive side of things.
Not to mention, we could also clear out more spots in the midfield considering how Saul Niguez could return to Atletico Madrid next summer. Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek did a job for us when there was an injury crisis earlier this season, but it is clear the English duo doesn’t have what it takes to be a regular starter for us- at least right now.
Central defence may well look like an area that we would be wise to strengthen this summer, but central midfield cannot be ignored as well. Let’s hope the club does all it can to sign the France international to considerably future-proof our midfield. If not him, then the Blues would be smart to look elsewhere, but signing a midfielder surely looks like something our club would be smart to do this summer.
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