Chelsea and PSG join Real Madrid in the chase for Tchouaméni

Aurélien Tchouaméni is one of the most sought after players in the current market. The Monaco midfielder is enjoying a brilliant season both for club and country. On Friday, he handed Les Bleus victory in their meeting with the Ivory Coast after putting in another mesmerising performance - a habit which has attracted the attentions of several of Europe's top clubs.

Diario AS understands that two clubs lead the chase to sign Tchouaméni - Real Madrid and Chelsea. Madrid have been tracking him for some time and the player finds the idea of playing in Chamartín appealing. As for Chelsea, who are in the middle of a change of ownership following Roman Abramovich's departure, the 22-year-old midfielder is high on their list of priorities for the next transfer window. His physical strength and technique make him an ideal player to triumph in the Premier League. Once they sort out their off-field problems, the defending European champions will have sufficient means to fund such an ambition operation.

But it seems that Tchouaméni has his heart set on signing for Real Madrid. If Madrid decide to place a bid for the Monaco player this summer, he would prioritise a move to the Bernabéu even if Chelsea or PSG offer him more money. Real Madrid scout Juni Calafat has been monitoring Tchouaméni for a while and his reports, since the midfielder made his debut for Girondins Bordeaux, have been glowing. He is under contract until 2024, but the extraordinary season he is having has made him one of the chief transfer targets of this summer.

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For Real Madrid, the operation to sign Tchouaméni could be a similar experience to what they went through in bringing Camavinga to the club last summer. If Florentino manages to sign Haaland, a deal would be almost impossible. But if Madrid miss out on the Norwegian striker, they will proceed with the plan to sign Tchouaméni which would be a pretty straightforward operation.

PSG bringing up the rear

At the start of the season, Monaco priced Tchouaméni at 60 million euros. But they would be willing to accept a figure close to that - especially if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. The team is currently sixth in Ligue 1 - nine points off second place which would see they qualify directly for the group stage and six off third place, which would entail going through the preliminary rounds. PSG, who have earmarked Paul Pogba as a priority for their midfield, entered the race a few weeks ago, although they are at a disadvantage to Real Madrid and Chelsea - the two best-placed clubs to land one of the pearls of French football.