Reputable journalist James Pearce has provided a significant update on Liverpool and their pursuit of AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, confirming significant interest from a rival suitor.
The lowdown: Interest mounting
The Reds have been extensively linked with a move for the 22-year-old in recent weeks and a sensational summer swoop could well be on the cards.
Whilst Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp remains fully focused on the continued quest for silverware on the pitch, new Anfield transfer supremo Julian Ward may already be outlining potential transfers for the off-season window, with some in the French press believing a deal for Tchouameni is already close.
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However, it appears that Ward and Klopp may now face fierce competition...
The latest: Pearce confirms Liverpool interest
Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic as Liverpool faced Aston Villa, Pearce reaffirmed the interest in Tchouameni but also cited Real Madrid's admiration.
In response to a reader enquiring about the links with the talented France international, the journalist stated: “Nothing new that I'm aware of. Interest but Real also very keen.”
The verdict: At all costs
Liverpool simply must pull out all the stops in order to bring Tchouameni to Merseyside and not Madrid this summer.
Capped on eight occasions by Didier Deschamps at the senior international level and already with 130 club appearances, the powerful midfielder is already a prodigious talent that would be perfectly suited to improve the Anfield squad.
Holding a stylistic likeness to Reds star Thiago and Real Madrid spoiler Casemiro, the Frenchman is equally adept as a box to box operator as well as in a defensive role (Fbref).
Recently hailed as possessing 'enormous potential' by Deschamps, Tchouameni boasts a range of very strong attributes including aerial ability and tackling (WhoScored).
All of the aforementioned qualities would provide much-needed strengthening of the Liverpool midfield department, as highlighted by Fabinho's hamstring issue suffered against Villa, which has left Klopp short of natural cover for the Brazilian, an issue signing Tchouameni would resolve in an instant.
In other news, James Pearce has dropped a key Liverpool transfer update. Read more here.