Florentino Perez has confirmed that Liverpool did try to sign Aurelien Tchouameni this summer.
Speaking to El Chiringuito TV and transcribed by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the Real Madrid president claimed that both PSG and Liverpool wanted his new player.
“Someone told him (Tchouamnei) he had to go at Paris Saint-Germain… yes,” said Perez. “Mbappe was trying but this is normal.
“PSG and Liverpool wanted Tchouameni, it’s normal to have competition. He only wanted Real Madrid.”
If a player has his mind set on a club like Madrid, it’s very hard to convince him differently. Good to know that Liverpool were genuine contenders for one of the best young players in the world, though.
Liverpool looking light in midfield
The failure to land Tchouameni this summer needn’t be a nail in the coffin for Liverpool’s hopes of strengthening their midfield.
But it does look like that might be the way it ends up.
A report from The Times earlier this week claimed that Liverpool will now put off their search for another year. For this summer at least, it appears to have been either the £85m Tchouameni or no-one.
That would be a shame. There are players out there, such as Sporting’s Matheus Nunes, who could improve Liverpool in the centre of the park.
The name many would like to see come to Anfield is Jude Bellingham. But the 18-year-old is happy at Borussia Dortmund for another year and would be difficult to extrapolate at this stage.
Perhaps Liverpool can sneak by for another year without any issues. With the defence and attack both being built on over the last year though, it does feel like the midfield is lacking ever so slightly.
That would have changed with the arrival of Tchouameni. If Liverpool are looking for players to fit his profile, they need only read our analysis of three alternatives to the Frenchman.
There’s still a long way to go in this summer’s transfer window. Liverpool have got brilliant business done early, but they must remain active to plug this hole.
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