Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
The 24-year-old is currently in his second campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu after arriving from Monaco for a fee that could eventually rise to €100m.
Tchouameni has since gone on to make a total of 73 appearances in all competitions, 50 of those outings coming from the starting lineup.
However, there has been the perception that the France international is not necessarily a certain starter when every midfielder is available to Carlo Ancelotti.
That has led to speculation in the past over whether Tchouameni will remain with Los Blancos in the long term or be considered for a big-money sale should an offer arrive.
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According to Fichajes, Bayern are monitoring the situation ahead of potentially making a formal approach.
Thomas Tuchel is not blessed with a wide range of options in central midfield with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer regarded as the first-choice players for that position.
Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is just 19 years of age, has recently been pushed up the pecking order, while Eric Dier can be used in the engine room if required.
Nevertheless, with there being doubts over Kimmich's long-term future at the Allianz Arena, alternative options are having to be considered.
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Bayern would allegedly be prepared to pay close to the €100m (£85.4m) that Real committed to paying just over 18 months ago, but an early sale would theoretically mean that some add-ons may not be met.
The report suggests that Tchouameni, as it stands, would prefer to continue his career with Real for the foreseeable future, particularly when he is receiving game time on a regular basis.
Tchouameni remains less than a third of the way through a six-year contract, while French compatriot Kylian Mbappe may join him in Spain later this year.
There is also no guarantee that the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will spend another season at Real, with more game time likely being allocated to Tchouameni should either of the veterans call time on their legendary spells in Madrid.
Darren Plant
