Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race for AS Monaco midfield sensation Aurelien Tchouameni.
The cash-rich Magpies have been inevitably linked with a host of names across Europe following the £305 million takeover by a Saudi-led consortium last month. New manager Eddie Howe will certainly be backed in the January transfer window as he looks to help the club avoid relegation from the English top-flight.
According to Catalan outlet El Nacional, Newcastle United is the latest club to show an interest in AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, who is rated at around £43 million. However, the Ligue 1 club could increase their price with the number of clubs interested in his signature, the report adds.
Tchouameni, 21 has become one of Europe’s coveted young prospects since enjoying his breakout campaign with AS Monaco last term. The midfielder, who moved to Monaco from Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux in January 2020, has also broken into the France national team and helped his country win the UEFA Nations League trophy last month.
Newcastle would be keen to make the Frenchman the face of their rebuild under Eddie Howe, but they will face competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature next summer.
Aurelien Tchouameni to Newcastle United – The solidity they need?
Eddie Howe is at the helm of the world’s richest club, but they are currently embroiled in the relegation battle this season. The club’s new owners need to work behind the scenes to try and hand Howe with a sizeable winter transfer war chest.
Aurélien Tchouaméni has made more tackles and interceptions combined than any other U23 player in Europe's top five leagues since the start of last season:
◎ 48 games
◉ 157 tackles made
◉ 86 interceptions#SquawkaScoutpic.twitter.com/k7mlYn32KK— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 17, 2021
Should they avoid relegation, the Magpies would look to spend big on top-quality players in the 2022 summer transfer window. One area they must target is the midfield, with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff and Jeff Hendrick not putting in consistent performances this season. Newcastle could do well with a midfield revamp in the summer, and AS Monaco midfield rock Aurelien Tchouameni will be the perfect player to start the process.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Tchouameni excels with his tackling, interception and passing skills. His reading of the game and anticipation of danger belie his age, which puts him head and shoulders above the players of his group and profile. The French international has an impressive radar that he uses to recycle possession, dictate the tempo of the game as well as pick a pass in the final third.
The 21-year-old has a mixture of physical qualities and technical skills that would help him adapt to the rigours of Premier League football. Quick, strong and industrious with solid ball-winning and passing qualities, the ex-Bordeaux man would be a straight upgrade on Newcastle’s current midfield pairing of Shelvey and Hayden.
Tchouameni could do well for a Newcastle side crying out for dynamism and steel in midfield. Should the Magpies manage to beat some of Europe’s elite clubs to his signature next year, Howe would get a player around whom he could build his midfield for the next few years.
