Chelsea could become a viable option for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to journalist Poli Rincon.
Speaking to radio station Cadena COPE (quotes via Sport Witness), Rincon named the Blues as a potential destination due to the player’s close connection with former manager Xabi Alonso:
“Tchouameni has a lot of options in the Premier League. But the real departure is Xabi Alonso to Chelsea. Because, as you know, he was Xabi Alonso’s loyal soldier while he was there. If Enzo [Fernandez] leaves Chelsea, that would be a good move.”
The Real Madrid star has also been linked with a £70m move to Manchester United in recent months, but there are doubts over whether he will leave the Bernabeu following the appointment of Jose Mourinho.
Could Tchouameni make the move to Chelsea?
There were reports linking the Frenchman with a switch to Stamford Bridge last month. It was suggested that enquiries had been made for both Tchouameni and teammate Dean Huijsen, as part of talks involving Enzo Fernandez.
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However, there are no guarantees that Fernandez will be moving to Madrid. BBC reporter Nizaar Kinsella has named Real as the Argentinian international’s only realistic option, but there are question marks over whether the La Liga side are willing to match his £120m asking price.
Mourinho’s interest in Fernandes could complicate matters
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is said to be Real’s main alternative to Enzo Fernandez, with Mourinho reportedly a big fan of the Portuguese international.
If he were to end up in Spain, then the chances of Chelsea selling Fernandes this summer would greatly diminish.
Manchester United are also interested in Fernandes, but they could enter the mix for Tchouameni if they lose out on the West Ham player to Real.
In that scenario, Chelsea could be left with an unhappy Fernandez and no prospect of landing his potential replacement.