Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has revealed that Liverpool were in talks to sign him from Monaco during the summer transfer window.
The France international attracted glances from across Europe after a string of domineering performances from the middle of the park for the Ligue 1 giants.
Tchouameni left Bordeaux in January 2020 to sign for Les Monegasques, whom he registered eight goals and seven assists in 95 appearances for as an undisputed starter.
The 22-year-old commanded an €80m (£68.9m) fee to leave Monaco for Real Madrid in the summer window, and he immediately filled the Casemiro role following the Brazilian's switch to Manchester United.
However, Liverpool were strongly linked with a move for Tchouameni over the summer, and the midfielder has now revealed that the Reds were in discussions with his representatives.
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Speaking to French outlet Le Parisien - via Fabrizio Romano - Tchouameni affirmed that he needed no second invitation to jump at the chance to join Real Madrid, despite talks with the Reds.
"The first club to show interest in me was Liverpool. There were discussions, but as soon as Real Madrid entered, my mind was made up," the 22-year-old said. "I didn't hesitate for a second. I told my agent: bring me to Real Madrid."
Tchouameni has made a fast start to life with Los Blancos, registering two assists in 18 appearances and cementing his spot in the middle alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Having failed with a move for Tchouameni, Liverpool elected to bring in Arthur on loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day after holding off on a big-money midfield signing.
The Brazilian sought to add cover to a midfield that was decimated by injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but he has now entered the treatment room himself with a thigh issue.
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Jurgen Klopp's side are set to prioritise the signing of a new lynchpin in the summer of 2023, with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham still a leading target.
The Reds have seemingly been handed two boosts in the race for the 19-year-old, with Manchester United supposedly withdrawing their interest and Chelsea also conceding defeat.
Liverpool are believed to have been laying the framework of a deal for some time, but they are fighting an uphill battle to convince Bellingham to choose Anfield as his next destination.
The England international is understood to have his heart set on a move to Real Madrid, and Dortmund are not giving up hope of keeping Bellingham until 2024.
Klopp is set to wave goodbye to both Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers next year, with the Reds reportedly pulling the plug on contract talks with the former.
Ben Knapton
