Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has made it clear that he wants to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, according to a report.
The 23-year-old joined Los Blancos from Monaco for an initial €80m (£69.5m) last summer and he went on to make 50 appearances in all competitions last season.
However, Tchouameni was not always a regular name in the starting lineup under manager Carlo Ancelotti and he suffered a drop-off in form during the second half of 2022-23.
Indeed, the France international was restricted to five substitute outings in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, while he only completed the full 90 minutes in 14 La Liga matches.
Tchouameni faced stiff competition for starts from Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga last season, and Ancelotti has since bolstered his midfield with the big-money arrival of Jude Bellingham this summer.
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Tchouameni is under contract at the Bernabeu until June 2028, but there has been speculation about a potential exit from the Spanish giants this summer.
Premier League trio Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the Frenchman, with the latter in particular in the market for midfield reinforcements.
Indeed, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has already seen Fabio Carvalho, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita leave the club – the former joining RB Leipzig on loan – while Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are also set to depart Anfield having allegedly agreed to move to Saudi Arabia.
Man United were reported to have emerged as the frontrunners for Tchouameni's signature earlier this month, while one report claims that Arsenal are considering a bid for the Frenchman, although that was before the Gunners had completed the club-record signing of Declan Rice.
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German giants Bayern Munich are believed to be the latest club to join the race for Tchouameni's signature, with Spanish news outlet AS claiming that Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of the midfielder and is keen to recruit a new No.6 this summer.
However, the report adds that Real Madrid have insisted that Tchouameni is not for sale at any price this summer, while the midfielder himself is also reluctant to leave the Bernabeu.
Ancelotti is said to regard the former Bordeaux academy graduate as an integral member of his first-team squad and he hopes that the Frenchman can fulfil his potential under his tutelage.
Tchouameni is currently training with his Real Madrid teammates in Los Angeles ahead of their first pre-season fixture against AC Milan next Monday.
Oliver Thomas
