Former Liverpool transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to stay at Real Madrid this summer.
Tchouameni had been Liverpool’s main target to bolster their midfield last year. But having seen him choose a move to Spain instead, the Reds were left empty-handed.
Since then, Liverpool have shown exactly why they could have done with Tchouameni this season. Meanwhile, the Frenchman hasn’t had the smoothest of times in Madrid.
This has led to some suggestions that the European champions could look to cut their losses and move Tchouameni on this summer. But speaking to CaughtOffside, journalist Fabrizio Romano has insisted that the 23-year-old is going nowhere.
“Jurgen Klopp really wanted Aurelien Tchouameni one year ago, yes; but I’m also sure Real Madrid have not changed their mind on Tchouameni and they consider him a key player for present and future,” said Romano. “I see him staying at Real Madrid this summer, despite some recent speculation to the contrary.”
Tchouameni struggling in Spain
How different things could have been. You do have to wonder whether Tchouameni is regretting his choice right now. In terms of where the respective clubs are at, there’s no question that Real Madrid are in a better place than Liverpool. But on a personal level, the France international has struggled.
Competing with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga, Tchouameni hasn’t established himself fully.
He’s still started 15 of 26 games in La Liga, but he’s only completed 90 minutes in seven of those matches. The midfielder has so far failed to find the net across 11 further games in all comeptitions.
Of course, there’s no real shame in that. Camavinga similarly failed to set the world alight in his early months at Santiago Bernabeu before sparkling this season. It can take time to adjust to the self-styled ‘biggest club in the world.’ But had Tchouameni moved to Liverpool, he would have surely been the star of the midfield.
If there’s any kind of chance Madrid are willing to part ways with him this summer, then Liverpool should be straight in there. The two clubs appear to have a good relationship following events of the past 12 months. Offer a similar fee to the one they were willing to pay a year ago, and maybe Real will be tempted.
As Romano says though, it seems highly unlikely to happen. There’s still a good chance that Tchouameni comes good in the Spanish capital. Real would be foolish to wave that chance goodbye. Any hint of doubt though, and the Reds have to move in.
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