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Aurelien Tchouameni 'available for transfer' as Liverpool could strike double blow to Man City
One-time Liverpool transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni has reportedly been made available for transfer by Real Madrid. It is claimed that the French midfielder is no longer deemed indispensable by the Spanish club, just two years on from a big-money move to the Bernabeu from Monaco.
It was reported at the time that both Liverpool and Madrid had agreed personal terms with Tchouameni, but the player opted to join Real Madrid instead. At the time, Liverpool was searching for a long-term replacement for defensive midfielder Fabinho, who ended up leaving Anfield last year.
Jurgen Klopp favored Wataru Endo in Fabinho's old role last season, but Arne Slot seemingly prefers a different type of player, with Martin Zubimendi earmarked for that role during the summer transfer window. When Liverpool missed out on Zubimendi, Slot opted to start the season with Ryan Gravenberch in the No.6 role, and the Dutch midfielder has thrived under his compatriot.
Given Slot's preference for a more technical midfielder at the base of midfield, it will be interesting to see if Tchouameni's seeming availability reignites Liverpool's interest in the player.
Spanish outlet Relevo says Real is open to offers for Tchouameni and that the 24-year-old has lost the backing of a number of important figures in Madrid. The report says that only manager Carlo Anceloitti retains faith in Tchouameni, with a number of inlfuential people in the Bernabeu's corridors of power having "changed their minds" on the France international.
The report adds that Madrid is now betting on Eduardo Camavinga to emerge as the club's holding midfielder for the future, while it is even suggested that Manchester City's Rodri is under consideration for a move.
Were Tchouameni to join Liverpool, and Rodri to join Madrid, that could deal City a sizeable blow, considering both moves would see Liverpool's squad strengthen and City's squad weaken.
The Madrid link with Rodri is a curious one considering the Spanish club boycotted this week's Ballon d'Or ceremony over the midfielder beating Vinicius Jr to the prestigious individual award. Madrid scrapped plans to send a 50-strong entourage to the ceremony in Paris after getting wind that Vinicius Jr hadn't won the award, and later issued a statement criticizing the decision.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to [Dani] Carvajal as the winner,” the statement said. “As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.“
