Monaco director Paul Mitchell has issued a warning to longstanding suitors Chelsea over Aurelien Tchouameni’s price tag in the transfer market.
The French international has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge with Thomas Tuchel on the lookout for reinforcements in midfield after an underwhelming loan sting for Saul Niguez.
Saul linked with Chelsea in the final hours of the summer transfer window but the Spaniard has been unable to hit the ground running in the English capital and looks set for a return to his parent club Atletico Madrid.
The 22-year-old Tchouameni has made his name as one of the best young defensive midfielders across Europe and has the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus chasing his signature despite Chelsea being backed to be the frontrunners.
Speaking to the Italian news outlet Tuttosport ( via Metro), Monaco’s sporting director Paul Mitchell sounded out that prizing away Tchouameni from the Ligue 1 club would not be on the cheap with the midfielder likened to Premier League icon Steven Gerrard by Mitchell.
‘He is a complete midfielder, very fast and physically strong, he reminds me of Steven Gerrard.
‘He is already a top player despite being only 22, but if we want to become a top club, then we should not sell him.
‘We are an ambitious club. Everyone, from President Rybolovlev to coach Niko Kovac is ambitious here.
‘However, we’ll assess the situation at the end of the season. The player is under contract until 2024 and his transfer value is the one of a top player.
Everything is expensive in Monte Carlo, let’s say that Tchouameni is as expensive as the Grand Casino.’
