The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League winners are progressing well in their talks with AS Monaco over the transfer of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. The club is also interested in signing American teenager Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire.
Reports previously claimed that while the Frenchman was prioritizing a move to Spain over England and Los Blancos were unwilling to pay Monaco’s asking price for their key asset. However, as per Fabrizio Romano, dialogue between the two clubs has continued since, with the newly-crowned Champions of Europe confident in their ability to seal the deal.
The journalist also claims that the Monegasques will not budge from their asking price of 80 million euros for Tchouameni, which the Spanish media previously reported as a problem for Real Madrid – with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool waiting to see the outcome.
However, according to RMC Sport, the Spanish giants are close to agreeing a fee with the principality club, believed to be 80 million guaranteed plus a further 20 million in bonuses. Should an agreement be found, the French international will become Real’s second signing of the summer after centre-back Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Romano reports that Real Madrid are in the process of tabling an official bid for Chicago Fire’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. The custodian, who recently chose to represent the United States of America internationally over Poland, has had a rapid rise in the last year, leading to several top European clubs earmarking him as one for the future. Chelsea were closing in on the youngster before sanctions hit the Blues. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have also shown an interest in him.
Where Slonina fits in at Real Madrid remains to be seen. Los Blancos also signed Ukrainian prospect Andriy Lunin from Zorya Luhansk in 2018 for a fee rising to 13.5 million euros. However, due to Thibaut Courtois’s unwavering form in between the sticks, Lunin’s appearances for the senior team have been limited to five over two seasons – the other two he spent out on loan.
