Tchouameni: Why I joined Real Madrid over PSG

FT Desk
FT Desk
  • 2 Oct 2022 19:34 BST
  • 3 min read
Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid, 2022/23
© ProShots

Aurelien Tchouameni has revealed why he rejected PSG in order to sign for Real Madrid.

Madrid completed the signing of Tchouameni from Monaco in a deal estimated to be worth more than €100 million this past summer.

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He signed a six-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

vThe French midfielder had attracted interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain ― who failed in a late attempt to hijack the deal.

But Tchouameni has revealed that he never had any interest in signing for anyone but Madrid.

What did Tchouameni say?

“I didn't hesitate with PSG. It's also a big European club, but I had no doubts: I only wanted Real Madrid”, Tchouameni told Telefoot.

“The €80m-100m fee? I was not the one who was in the office to give the figures. You arrive in Madrid and you have to perform, stop.”

Tchouameni has made a fine start to his Real Madrid career, starting so well that the club were even prepared to sell Casemiro to Manchester United for €70m in the closing days of the summer transfer market.

The 22-year-old has made eight appearances in all competitions for a Real Madrid team who have won every game so far.

Tchouameni previously made 95 appearances in all competitions for Monaco, scoring eight times, after signing for them from Bordeaux in January 2020 for €20m.

He has also been capped 14 times by the France national team, scoring once, and is expected to play a big role in the upcoming World Cup alongside Real Madrid teammates Eduardo Camavinga and Karim Benzema.

Indeed, Tchouameni could be the player to benefit most from Paul Pogba’s chronic injury, with the Juventus man in doubt for the tournament due to a meniscus injury.

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