Transfer News: Chelsea in pole position for 22-year-old Ligue 1 star

Chelsea leading Real Madrid in the race for Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni

According to Marca (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea and Manchester United are leading the race to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. The player rose to fame over the past couple of years, with his stock improving as a young talent after he won Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year in the 2020/21 season.

At 22-years-old, Tchouameni has caught the attention of a few European heavyweights with his performances for Monaco. The Frenchman has been a regular for the side since signing for the club in 2020, with the Ligue 1 outfit depending on the young star to pull the strings for them and dictate play from the middle of the park.

It is now reported that Tchouameni’s recent rise to fame has caught the attention of La Liga giants Real Madrid, who sent their chief scout this week to hold discussions with the midfielder’s representatives. However, the Blues may be a step ahead as the club have already made contact with the player’s agent, Jonathan Kebe.

It seems that the player’s move to Monaco has only accelerated his rise to stardom, with the Frenchman going on to make his debut for the national team last year. Despite his current contract expiring only in 2024, Tchouameni is said to be open to a move away from France to join one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Future Blues midfield lynchpin?

Despite Chelsea boasting of a number of world-class players in midfield, a move for Tchouameni is an investment for the future With the current midfield pairing of Jorginho and N’golo Kante hitting 30, it may be time for the club hierarchy to consider bringing in midfielders who could replace the veteran duo.

Now a full-time international, it may be time for Tchouameni to make the next step and play club football in a more competitive league and aim to win the biggest competitions in European football. However, clubs looking to sign him may be required to strain their wallets, as Monaco have set the price tag for the player between £66.5m and £83m.

With interest from a couple of Premier League clubs, it may leave many wondering whether the Frenchman can cut it in the English top-flight, which demands physicality and quick feet from players. Tchouameni brings exactly those qualities to the table, which is why the French national team came calling for him, despite his lack of experience at the top level.

Playing alongside someone like Kante in the national setup will only have aided the midfielder’s development, and he may well be the successor to the Chelsea star if he keeps up his performance levels.

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Given this, maybe a move to bring Tchouameni to Stamford Bridge may not be a bad idea, considering that in a few years’ time, we will also need a natural successor to Kante at the club. If Chelsea manage to snap him up now, then there is the possibility of the Frenchman being groomed by Kante at close quarters in the coming years.

This vision would have any Chelsea fan drooling, but the reality is that the midfielder commands a high transfer fee at the moment. With reported competition from other European heavyweights, we may be in for a possible bidding war to secure Tchouameni’s services in the near future.