Chelsea are among the clubs interested in signing Monaco starlet Aurelien Tchouameni, but Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell warns that the French starlet costs as much as the 'Grand Casino.’
The midfielder has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
football.london previously reported that the Blues were interested in his services before they secured the signature of Saul Niguez on-loan from Atletico Madrid.
Nevertheless, with Thomas Tuchel keen to strengthen his side in the long-term, Chelsea could return for Tchouameni in the coming windows, perhaps even as early as January.
But the midfielder, who according to Mitchell has Steven Gerrard-like qualities, will not be cheap.
“He is a complete midfielder, very fast and physically strong, he reminds me of Steven Gerrard,” Mitchell told Tuttosport, via Football Italia.
“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."
Nevertheless, Mitchell did concede that the club could be forced into making a decision at the end of the season.
According to transfermarkt, the 21-year-old is worth £36million in today's market, but Chelsea with his contract not expiring until the summer of 2024, the Blues have been told that they will have to pay over the odds to sign him.
“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.”
Tchouameni is likely to make Chelsea stronger, but the Blues will need to weigh up their options before making a decision on whether to sign him or not.
