Chelsea's bid to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni may have taken a blow as a report emerged detailing the plans Liverpool have already put in place for the Frenchman at Anfield.
Tchouameni has risen to prominence over the past 12 months, becoming an integral part of Monaco's midfield with a big-money transfer now looking like a case of when, rather than if. A host of European club managers are reported to be chasing the 22-year-old, including Thomas Tuchel.
Strengthening his midfield options is one of the German's top priorities for the summer transfer window. However, those pursuits will be limited as things stand with the club unable to spend money on transfer fees or new contracts with Roman Abramovich under sanctions from the government, although that will alter if a change of ownership goes through.
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West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has also been mentioned as an option to bolster that unit, while Conor Gallagher is expected to be a part of first-team plans next term after impressing with Crystal Palace. But Tchouameni is catching the eye and with both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante now in their 30s, attention will turn to the future.
He comes with plenty of endorsements, not least from ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard has played with Tchouameni in France for the bast two seasons, and when asked on Twitter about what his teammate could add to Chelsea's side, he described him as a "complete midfielder."
But according to a recent report from Foot Mercato, Liverpool appear to be a step ahead of the Blues when it comes to the race for his signature. They claim that the Reds plan to bring Tchouameni to the club, with the view of him taking the reins from Jordan Henderson and James Milner when the duo retire.
It remains to be seen how Tchouameni will be swayed by the idea but the prospect of being viewed as a long-term option by Jurgen Klopp is one that would tempt most midfielders in the world.
