Blow for Chelsea as incoming rival manager asks club to move for 22-year-old French talent

Transfer News: Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to sign Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni

According to ESPN, Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to sign AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni who is a transfer target for Chelsea. The former is set to take over the coaching job at Old Trafford from the next season onwards, and he has presented the midfielder as an option to bolster the midfield.

Tchouameni has enjoyed a rapid rise over the last year or so, becoming a key player for club and country in that period. That has seen him attract interest from Paris Saint-Germain and the Blues ahead of the summer transfer window. Now, Man United seems to have entered the race following Ten Hag’s demand.

Monaco are ready to entertain proposals for the Frenchman, and they are willing to engage in talks over a move. They will demand the interested parties pay a fee between €60million and €70million to get their hands on the holding midfielder. It will be interesting to see if he will leave his side or not this summer.

Erik ten Hag wants Man United to sign Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni.
Monaco willing to discuss a potential sale for Aurelien Tchouameni. (Photo by JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Transfer blow for Chelsea

The Red Devils’ entry in and of itself would be an issue for us since it adds to the competition for the 22-year-old. While they are not in the best of places under the current circumstances, they seem to be finally looking to turn a new page and build towards a better future.

While our midfield is stacked at the moment, there have been some signs that we may need to restructure our options if the current situation persists moving forward.

N’Golo Kante has been poor this year, and he has not been able to retain his best form for long durations. Perhaps, the huge physical load is finally taking a toll on his body which means that we need to plan for up ahead to replace him in the near future.

Jorginho is also in the same boat as he has not hit the same level that he showcased last year. He has been underwhelming for club and country in recent times and both he and Kante are also in their 30s now. Despite their quality, it’s not like they can keep playing forever.

Aurelien Tchouameni has interest from Chelsea and PSG.
Aurelien Tchouameni has interest from Chelsea and PSG.

PSG would not be an issue as it is claimed that Tchouameni is looking to leave France after his spell in Ligue 1. That leaves the Manchester side and the West London club as two solid options. However, we need to find a solution to our current ownership uncertainty, or our rivals may steal a march in this pursuit.

The club would do well to back Thomas Tuchel by bringing Tchoumanei to Stamford Bridge- if there is a genuine desire to sign him in the first place. We need a talented individual like him in our ranks who can offer quality performances right now while also protecting our interests for the long term.

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Let’s hope that the new owners- whoever they may be- realise the opportunity and complete a move this summer. At 22, he has a long way to go before he reaches his peak years and this could be a smart investment from the Blues, if they are willing to make it.

We are also well clear of Man United in the race for a top-four finish this season. Given the prestige that comes with UCL football, it isn’t ridiculous to suggest that a Champions League club would present itself as a solid option in comparison to a club that is not playing in the most prestigious European club competition.