Football moves quickly, and Arne Slot may be somewhat aggrieved that his incredible accomplishments at the Liverpool helm have faded beyond the background.
Of course, there is a good reason for this. Liverpool have been terrible for large portions of the campaign, and the Dutchman has definitely been infected with a vicous bout of second-season syndrome.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts during the match
But the 2024/25 Premier League champions are on track to qualify for the Champions League, and that opens more doors this summer.
Once again, the Reds need to make sweeping changes in the transfer market, and there's no question that the flagging midfield needs a freshen up.
Attacking additions will come, but Liverpool's midfield have been drained of last year's vim and vigour, and the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch aren't cutting the mustard right now.
With changes sure to arrive, FSG cannot afford to slip up and bring over the wrong player. With that in mind, recent reports will be exciting for fans to note.
According to TEAMtalk, Aurelien Tchouameni is at the centre of growing tensions at Real Madrid, and Liverpool are looking to take advantage and bring him over to Anfield. The 26-year-old's camp have already been in contact with the Reds.
Tchouameni-Deschamps-France
The Los Blancos heavyweight wouldn't come cheap, of course, and with Manchester United also keen, it's understood that figures totalling £70m have been touted.
Liverpool's midfield have flattered to deceive this season, and though he shouldn't be sold after signing a new contract, Gravenberch hasn't been great, and Tchouameni could be the perfect upgrade.
Why Liverpool should sign Tchouameni
Tchouameni is part of a Real Madrid outfit whose toxicity levels are rising. After several trophy-laden years, problems are seeping onto the surface in the capital, and Liverpool could offer him a hand and bring him over for the next chapter in his career.
Gravenberch currently holds down the fort at the base of Slot's midfield, but a lack of physicality in the centre has been among the cruxes of the Merseysiders' downfall, and Tchouameni would fix that problem.
League Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Chances created*
Possession lost*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
He's a combative number six, and would provide a more Fabinho-esque presence at Anfield that Gravenberch has offered over the past couple years.
Maybe that's what Liverpool need to move forward and step back into the limelight. Gravenberch is more progressive, a better carrier, but Tchouameni packs a punch that Liverpool do not have right now.
But the France international is also among the finest passers in the world, when it comes to deep-lying midfielders picking out the right pass.
In La Liga, Tchouameni comes out near the summit when his passing accuracy and success in the duel is collated against other relevant midfielders. This is hardly surprising: he's one of the best in the business, hailed as "the best defensive midfielder in the world" by one of his former teammates Chema Andres.
Gravenberch is an elegant midfielder, to be sure, but he also lacks an innate ability to carve open opponents and progress play forward. In that, Slot's struggles in the build-up have been summed up, especially with Mac Allister having fallen to the wayside.
aurelien-tchouameni-real-madrid
Liverpool need a profile such as this. For example, FSG appear to be in talks to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, but Wharton is not a combative player, and he alone would not solve Slot's problems.
With Tchouameni involved, Liverpool could afford to sell Mac Allister and release Gravenberch from the weight of responsibility at number six that has forced him to his knees, a shadow of the elegant star of 2024/25.
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