Kylian Mbappé, who turned down Real Madrid, would have liked to see Aurelien Tchouameni at PSG, as the 22-year-old revealed – when the royals presented him on Tuesday.
Kylian Mbappé’s hand money, which Real now no longer have to pay, may go towards his transfer fee of up to €100m: Aurelien Tchouameni, the Royals’ central midfield future, was unveiled in Madrid on Tuesday.
The move to the Champions League winners is a dream come true for him, the 22-year-old declared at his presentation: “I’m very happy.” A thoroughly credible statement, as Tchouameni also confirmed Paris Saint-Germain’s interest, which Mbappé, of all people, has given a boost to: “He wanted to know if I didn’t want to come to PSG. But my first choice was Real, and he understood. “
“I want to leave my mark in the history of football – and the best club for that is Real Madrid. When I heard about their interest, I didn’t doubt for a second,” said Tchouameni, who could one day succeed five-time CL winner Casemiro as a ball-winner in front of the defence in the Spanish capital.
But with the Brazilian still making a pretty good impression, like his sidekicks Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Real’s king transfer this summer might have to take a back seat for now. “It’s logical that there are the best players in every position here,” Tchouameni knows, “I’ll have to prove myself in training – and I’m up for it. “
Six or eight?
Whether he will really become the new Casemiro in the future, “I don’t know. In Real Madrid’s 4-3-3, my position might be the six, but I can also play the eight – like in the national team,” said Tchouameni, who “played as one of two sixes from an early age”. That will definitely change in Madrid.
About his qualities, the 1.85-metre man says: “I can win balls, but also bring play intelligence and help the team in the passing game.” That sounds a bit more like a six-man.