Real Madrid star linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester City in a deal that could cost €120m: Reports
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, the 24-year-old French midfielder, is reportedly attracting serious interest from Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City. According to Fichajes (via Caught Offside), the two clubs are keen on securing his services, with Chelsea reportedly ready to go beyond the player's current market value.
With the departure of Casemiro, Tchouameni has been a key figure in the Real Madrid midfield since his high-profile move from AS Monaco. Although the holding midfielder has had a string of inconsistent performances, there's no question about the quality and the potential he possesses.
According to the report, Chelsea, despite their heavy investment in Moises Caicedo, are prepared to table an offer that could exceed €120 million to bring Tchouameni to Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid, however, may be reluctant to part ways with the France international. The club lacks depth in the defensive midfield area, and losing a player of Tchouameni’s caliber would be a significant blow as they look to challenge on multiple fronts this season.
Enzo Maresca's pursuit of Tchouameni comes at a time when they are struggling to find stability in the middle of the park. While they splashed the cash on Caicedo, the Ecuadorian has yet to step up to the responsibility with utmost conviction. Tchouameni, a proven performer at both club and international levels, would add immediate quality and experience.
Convincing the Frenchman to leave Madrid may also be a challenge. The Blues' absence from the Champions League for two consecutive seasons might be a major obstacle in their negotiations, but the club's willingness to spend big could still play a crucial role in swinging the deal in their favor.
For Manchester City, the interest in the Frenchman comes in the wake of a season-ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament to their talismanic midfield anchor Rodri.
Real Madrid and Chelsea monitoring RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba for 2025 move - Reports
Real Madrid are closely tracking RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old defender Castello Lukeba as they plan to strengthen their defense in the 2025 transfer window. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the French center-back has also drawn interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea.
Having missed out on Leny Yoro earlier this year, Real Madrid are now focusing on Lukeba as a key target. The defender, who joined Leipzig in 2023, has impressed with his performances and is under contract with the Bundesliga club until 2028.
Chelsea, known for their big spending, are also keen on Lukeba and could consider a move as early as January 2025. However, Romano reports that RB Leipzig are unlikely to sell the player mid-season after parting ways with Mohamed Simakan in the summer.