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Liverpool were ‘in the lead’ for Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni before Kylian Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG changed the race.

That’s according to journalist Santi Aouna, who says Real Madrid ‘accelerated’ for Tchouameni’s signature after missing out on Mbappe.

The PSG star had been widely expected to move to the Bernabeu this summer, with them lining up one of the major moves of the summer as his contract was expiring.

He, though, threw a spanner into the works by deciding to sign a new deal with the French giants, a move that few, including Real Madrid, didn’t see coming.

That has seen the Spanish champions change their transfer plans and use the money they had put to one side for Mbappe on other targets.

One of those is Tchouameni, whose impressive performances for Monaco in the last few years have put him towards the top of the hottest rated prospects in Europe.

Several big sides are all keen on him, including Liverpool, who had reportedly identified him as the ideal addition to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield this summer.

And it seems they ‘had a lead’ at the beginning of May, too, with Aouna reporting that they were front of the queue for his signature.

However, that changed after Mbappe’s decision, which meant Real Madrid ‘accelerated’ their efforts to sign the Frenchman.

They will now pay €100m, including bonuses plus 19% in tax, to secure his signature, having moved quickly to get him ahead of Liverpool and PSG, the latter of whom made it clear they could pay more but did not put forward an offer.

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