Cesc Fabregas has admitted he was instructed by Barcelona to help persuade Aurelien Tchouameni to join the club before the midfielder signed for their rival Real Madrid.
The French international Tchouameni was at the top of the wanted list at European clubs amid links with a move to Liverpool and Madrid. But Tchouameni, who had also been touted as a target for a number of clubs Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, decided on a move to the European champions this summer.
The star midfielder moved to the Spanish capital for a fee in the region of £68million, including add-ons, but only after Reds' boss Klopp made significant efforts to convince him of a switch to Merseyside. Klopp made a special trip to Monaco in order to convince the Frenchman to move to Anfield, while he also held a phone call with the midfielder.
Barcelona were another club who were in the running to land Tchouameni but were unable to move for the midfielder due to their own financial limitations. The Catalan club were in the market to sign a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, who is set to exit the Camp Nou at the end of his contract next year.
The Catalan giants signed Franck Kessie as a free agent from Milan while also having Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi in more advanced midfield positions. Tchouameni instead moved to Madrid, where he was the de facto replacement for Casemiro ahead of the Brazilian’s switch to Manchester United.
Speaking to Foot Mercato, Fabregas – who played alongside the Frenchman during their time together at Monaco – explained: “Yes, it’s true that I talked about Aurelien with Barca. They wanted to start preparing for the succession of Sergio Busquets and he was the perfect player for me.
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“But it was at a time when Barca were short of money, and I believe they couldn’t offer more than €40million (£35m). He has since signed at Real, he is a regular there and has become essential to the French team. For me, Aurelien has no limits!”
Tchouameni is now a key clog in Real Madrid’s strongest midfield alongside Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Fede Valverde, while Barcelona are likely to be in the market for a central midfielder again next year with Busquets set to depart at the end of the campaign.
