Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Aurelien Tchouameni, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Aurelien Tchouameni, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers
Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni has revealed why he rejected Liverpool to join Los Blancos in the summer.
The midfielder, who has been included in the France squad for the World Cup and could face Australia on Tuesday evening, moved to Real from Monaco.
He completed the move in July, with Los Blancos reported to have paid an initial fee of €80 million - potentially rising to €100m - to secure his services.
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Since transferring to La Liga, Tchouameni has been a regular starter for Carlo Ancelotti's side, featuring in all bar one of the games he has been available for from the beginning in all competitions.
Now, the midfielder, who recovered from a knock to play in Real's last two games before the World Cup, will look to shine in Qatar as France defend their crown from 2018.
Prior to his move to Spain, he was linked heavily with a move to Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp admitted in August the Reds wanted a particular midfielder during the summer who decided to go elsewhere - although he didn't reveal the player's identity.
He said: "We were going for a midfielder, but that midfielder decided to go to another club. That can happen.
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"Some players are not available now, but for us really interesting. That's how it is, so we can make that decision."
Now, Tchouameni has opened up on why he rejected a move to the Reds.
Speaking to French outlet Le Parisien (quotes via Goal) ahead of the World Cup, Tchouameni explained the process behind his decision to join Real: "The first to come forward was Liverpool. We had discussions.
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"Then Real arrived. And, in my head, everything was clear. It was Real and not another. It's the biggest club in the world.
"If you claim to accomplish great things, to mark the history of your sport, there is no better. So I didn't hesitate for a second.
"I told my agent: 'As long as there is interest, we do everything to go there'. I was already conditioned.
"When Paris showed up, my choice was already made, even if I was happy to be approached by PSG."
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Tchouameni and France have been drawn in Group D in the World Cup, where they will face Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.