Chelsea are eyeing a fresh January bid for AS Monaco starlet Aurelien Tchouameni. However, a Blues’ move for the Frenchman could signal the end of Saul Niguez’s Stamford Bridge spell, with the Atletico Madrid midfiedler still finding his feet in English football.
Chelsea are preparing a January bid for AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, as per 90min. The Blues are among a horde of clubs following the impressive Frenchman, who made his international debut earlier this year after outstanding displays at club level for the Principality side.
The Premier League outfit has held an interest in the 21-year-old since the summer, when they decided against signing him and, instead, loaned in Saul. However, as explained by Monaco’s sporting director Paul Mitchell recently, the attacker’s stock has since risen, and he will demand a considerable fee from any potential suitors.
“We are an ambitious club. Everyone from president Rybolovlev to coach Niko Kovac is ambitious here,”
Mitchell told Tuttosport recently.
“However, we’ll assess the situation at the end of the season. The player is under contract until 2024 and his transfer value is the one of a top player. Everything is expensive in Monte Carlo, let’s say that Tchouameni is as expensive as the Grand Casino.”
Chelsea might have to fork out close to 50 million pounds for the France international, as per the reports. Furthermore, the Blues could sign him in January and leave him at Monaco until the summer on loan, thus allowing him to undergo a proper pre-season when he finally arrives at the club.
Meanwhile, the player Chelsea signed in place of Tchouameni in the summer, Saul, could already be on his way back to his parent club Atletico Madrid. The Spaniard has struggled to adapt to English football and, as a result, has come under constant criticism from fans and experts alike.
Chelsea are considering whether or not to send Saul back to Spain in January, as per 90min, and talks between the club, Atletico, and the player’s representatives have reportedly taken place already. Should he return to Atleti, the 27-year-old won’t be allowed to join another club this season – temporarily or otherwise – having appeared for two teams.
