As the latest international break was coming to an end, Aurelien Tchouameni dominated the middle of the pitch of Stade Louis II, he got in the head of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Mauro Icardi. He pretty much took over the field, covered every square meter of grass – the backline of the Monaco team could tilt their hats and watch the frustration of Paris Saint-Germain stars. He only reminded the Paris Saints why he is highly ranked on the list of their transfer priorities but he also rekindled the interest of English clubs and – Real Madrid.The perfect performance in the Ligue 1 derby was followed by a friendly match between France and Ivory Coast, in which this same youngster played like an experienced master of the game, as someone who is approaching his hundredth appearance in the national team. And he hasn’t even come to a double digit number of appearances for Les Bleus. Speculations have heated up – Tchouameni and Real Madrid. The French defensive midfielder, who can also play as a “box-to-box”, is highly interested in coming to the Santiago Bernabeu in the upcoming transfer window. Tchouameni insists on leaving Monaco, he is ready to pack his bags and say goodbye to Cote d’Azur, and the Royal Club sees him as an ideal replacement for Casemiro.Weah’s effect: Wenger’s lie that fooled Klinsmann to join MonacoIn Madrid, everyone’s eyes widened at the very thought of the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, he is the priority of all priorities, a category for himself. He cannot be placed in the same basket with the others. But, with the exception of the first star of the transfer window, two names are in the forefront for Real Madrid: Erling Haaland and Tchouameni. For the signing of the Norwegian goal machine, the Royal Club will have serious competition and is already quite full in the attack section of their roster – Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are ‘safe’ in the starting 11 – while Casemiro has no real alternative and Madrid cherish him like a drop of water in the desert.Sun 16:00: (6.50) Metz (3.80) Monaco (1.63)The bringing of Casemiro’s replacement seems underway, the Brazilian is in his thirties and Real Madrid wants to think ahead and get a new, reliable solution for many years to come. They need a man who can do the ‘dirty’ work, someone for ‘special operations’ with a proper set of lungs. Los Blancos have struck gold with Eduardo Camavinga when they brought in from Rennes for 44 million USD, but the French midfielder is not a classic midfield sweeper. During this year, Tchouameni became someone who reads the opponent’s plays fantastically, has the most steals and interceptions and is constantly on the passing line. Years ago, Juni Calafat, the head of Real Madrid’s scouting service, noticed Tchouameni when he was brought to Monaco from Bordeaux for 20 million USD, and he no longer has any dilemma – Tchouameni is the one. He is the ideal replacement for Casemiro.Fabregas: “Football has turned into a game of robots and GPS”After the Nations League final, when Tchouameni delighted the football public and looked like an improved version of N’Golo Kante – Real Madrid knew they found their first pick to strengthen the midfield. He managed to patch everything up with his long stride, and since then Calafat has not let him out of his sight. According to the Spanish media, Tchouameni is flattered by the interest of the Royal Club. The Frenchman is waiting for the transfer window and that call from Real Madrid, he ‘nodded’ and pushed Paris Saint-Germain and English clubs aside. Although he has a contract with Monaco until 2024, he has planned to leave. It is crystal clear to him that he is valued and that he has outgrown the Stade Louis II.Sat 19:30: (4.00) Celta (3.50) Real Madrid (1.93)Player’s appetites have increased, and for his signature, the executives of Madrid will have to pay 66 million USD although his estimated value is closer to 45 million. Monaco are not in a rush to sell him, the player’s contract does not expire that soon and they can pump up the price. Who cares – if Real don’t want him, Paris Saint-Germain do – that option would be less preferable, but it’s nothing new for Monaco to send the best they have to Paris – or the always generous English clubs. Tchouameni prefers the Royal Club, has the same agent as Jules Kounde for which Los Blancos are also interested, and agent Jonathan Kebe has a history of doing business with Real Madrid and Florentino Perez.
