Liverpool have reportedly made contact over a move for Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Ligue 1 club since his arrival in 2020 and has registered three goals and two assists in 47 appearances across all tournaments this term.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all thought to be keeping tabs on Tchouameni, whose contract at Monaco expires in the summer of 2024.
Now, Foot Mercato - via Get French Football News - claims that Liverpool have stepped up their own pursuit of Tchouameni by initiating talks with the midfielder's entourage.
The report adds that Real Madrid are struggling to meet Monaco's price tag and Tchouameni's wage demands, which has paved the way for Liverpool to steal a march in the race for the France international.
Tchouameni would supposedly be open to a move to Liverpool, but Monaco are still expected to hold out for a fee of at least €50m (£42.1m) to part ways with the former Bordeaux man.
Tchouameni, who has amassed a total of six goals and six assists from 92 games in a Monaco shirt, recently insisted that he was "very happy" at the Stade Louis II amid the speculation surrounding his future.
Ben Knapton
