Real Madrid’s new signing Aurelien Tchouameni has explained why he decided to move to the La Liga giants over any of the other top clubs he was linked with.
One of the highest rated youngsters in the world, Tchouameni completed his long-awaited move from Monaco to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday for a reported fee of €80million (£68m).
Many of Europe’s elite sides had been monitoring the 22-year-old’s progress for some time, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain taking a keen interest in the midfielder.
But Tchouameni has now revealed that once Real came calling, he had no interest in moving anywhere else.
‘I’m really happy to be here, to start a new chapter with the best club in the world,’ the player said.
‘I had the chance to choose other clubs, yes – but as soon as I knew Real Madrid wanted me, I never doubted. I spoke to my agent, my family and the club [Monaco] to try to get the best deal for everyone.
‘Kylian [Mbappé] stayed at Paris Saint-Germain; he knew that I was going to go from Monaco at the end of the season and he wanted to see if maybe I would go to PSG. But my first decision was always Real Madrid, and he respects that.’
Tchouameni appears to be joining Los Blancos at the best possible time, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side winning La Liga and the Champions League in some style last season.
And while it will be initially tough to break into their midfield ahead of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro, the French international is sure to be a part of the club’s next generation of stars alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.
‘I want to leave my mark on football history, and I think Madrid is the best place to do that: the biggest club in the world, with incredible players and the best club for me,’ Tchouameni added.
‘I can now say that I’m a Real Madrid player and that’s a marvellous feeling. I really am accomplishing a dream.
‘I have to show my quality in training and I’m really looking forward to doing so. I try to deliver my best out on the pitch. It’s a challenge, but I can’t just focus on the World Cup in November, but on the daily training sessions and matches with Real Madrid.’
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