AS Monaco have reportedly raised their asking price for midfield mainstay Aurelien Tchouameni to €80 million amid interest from Real Madrid.
According to Defensa Central, AS Monaco are set to demand a transfer fee of around €80 million for French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has emerged as a target for Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Bordeaux before making the jump to AS Monaco in January 2020. Since then, Tchouameni has grown into one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1, showcasing his all-round abilities with consistency. He has paved a pathway for himself in the French national team well and was part of the team that lifted the UEFA Nations League last year.
Tchouameni’s rise in France has not gone unnoticed, as several top clubs from across Europe are vying to sign him. Real Madrid, for one, are the most heavily linked club with the 22-year-old as they are in the market for reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are well into their thirties, while Casemiro also turned 30 earlier this year. Real Madrid have some exciting options in Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga to take over the reins for the future. Dani Ceballos has also emerged as an option after a string of impressive displays since his return from injury.
However, Real Madrid remain in search of a natural replacement for Casemiro in the holding midfield position. While Camavinga can slot in as a defensive midfielder, the report states that manager Carlo Ancelotti is keen on using him in a more advanced role. It has led to Los Blancos scouring the market for an heir to Casemiro, with Tchouameni emerging as the preferred option.
The 22-year-old is an all-round midfielder who can operate as a No. 6 or play a box-to-box role. A physically robust midfielder, the Frenchman backs it up with technical qualities, tough-tackling nature and impressive game-reading abilities. He has the qualities to become the anchorman in Real Madrid’s midfield for years to come.
However, signing Tchouameni in the summer will not be easy as AS Monaco have slapped a price tag of €80 million on their prized asset. Previous reports had indicated that the Frenchman could be available for €60 million. But it seems like amidst rising interest, the Ligue 1 outfit have decided to increase their asking price as well.
Real Madrid, for their part, are reportedly unwilling to offer more than €40 million for Tchouameni, meaning they could walk away from the deal if Monaco insist on their current valuation. It remains to be seen if there is any movement on this front in the coming months or whether Los Blancos decide to look at alternative options.
