Liverpool may have missed out on a transformative signing at the start of the season – but they could return for him regardless
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are set to make a surprise return for a midfield target that they missed out on last summer.
The Reds have recently pulled out of the race for Jude Bellingham according to multiple reports, admitting that they can't afford to compete for him. With Liverpool currently eighth in the table and staring at the prospect of missing out on Champions League football, splashing out over £100 million on one player is a luxury that Jurgen Klopp has decided he can't afford.
This has led to a plethora of midfield targets being linked with moves to Anfield – but now, Klopp could actually return to a star that he originally wanted.
Jude Bellingham is reportedly off the table for Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Mirror have made the bold claim that Liverpool will resurrect their interest in Aurelien Tchouameni, who they attempted to bring to the Premier League last season.
Back then, the Frenchman was at Monaco but chose Real Madrid over the Reds – just as Bellingham could well do this summer. Tchouameni has struggled to break into Los Blancos' midfield on a regular basis, however, seeing himself behind the evergreen Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the pecking order.
Tchouameni's countryman Eduardo Camavinga has featured far more for Real this term – albeit at left-back, at times – while Fede Valverde has moved from a right-wing berth under Carlo Ancelotti to slot in centrally, as he did in the 2-0 Champions League win against Chelsea this week.
The report states that the European Champions would not consider anything less than £90m for Tchouameni – some £30m cheaper than Bellingham could possibly cost – though a loan seems more realistic. The midfielder himself would likely not want to give up on his Bernabeu career a year in, while the opportunity of more game-time at the top level for a prospective talent would likely appeal to Madrid chiefs.
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Aurelien Tchouameni is still on Liverpool's radar (Image credit: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are believed to be in the market for new full-backs this summer, along with Bellingham as a potential midfield target and another forward to succeed the 35-year-old Karim Benzema in time.
Aurelien Tchouameni is valued at €90m by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
