Liverpool’s search for midfield physicality may lead them back to Real Madrid

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool cannot be ruled out of making a fresh move to sign Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, says journalist Ben Jacobs.The Reds pushed hard to sign Tchouameni in the summer of 2022, but were ultimately beaten to the Frenchman by Los Blancos.Despite his status as a key player at the Bernabeu, the Frenchman has been embroiled in controversy this week after a reported bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde. Barroso/Europa Press/Getty Images As Liverpool look to add more physicality to their midfield this summer, Jacobs says their historical interest in Tchouameni – and his likely availability from Madrid – could make him a target once again.Real Madrid would sell Tchouameni for £70mAs the 2025/26 season has worn on, it has become increasingly clear that Liverpool need more presence in the middle of the pitch.Speaking on Liverpool fan podcast Born ‘N Red, Jacobs suggests that Tchouameni could potentially be an option to offer it.“There’s a lot of central players that could leave Liverpool, and that will open the door to add possibly a ball-winning six, a really physical player,” says the journalist.

“Or, maybe go for somebody that’s a bit more generalist and versatile, and that’s the debate that’s currently being had.”READ MORE: Lamine Camara has already shut down PSG and shown how he can repair Liverpool’s broken midfieldPhoto By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images“First of all it’s worth noting, do Liverpool revisit a historical interest in Aurelien Tchouameni? “There’s been a big bust-up this week between Valverde and Tchouameni, and we know that Liverpool are as keen on signing positive characters as they are footballers – I’m in no way appointing blame either way within that incident because Real Madrid are still looking into it – but certainly Liverpool if they went down that route would be doing character as well as footballer checks.

“It’s around the same time they were looking at Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, so if they go for someone in that mould, then Tchouameni brings the physicality and the ball-winning skills and is valued by Real Madrid in the region of £70m.” You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it? Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones Tchouameni certain to leave Real MadridAs the details of Tchouameni’s remarkable altercation with Valverde emerge, it seems more and more certain that the 26-year-old will be leaving the Spanish capital this summer.Valverde was taken to the hospital with a head injury, and although he has come out to say his injury was a result of an accidental collision with a table, it does not bode well for Tchouameni.Valverde is one of the more senior players at Madrid, and it seems probable that Florentino Perez would back the Uruguayan over his French colleague.Nevertheless, Jacobs is right to say that Liverpool will carry out due diligence on any character worries prior to making any moves, but having previously come close to signing Tchouameni four years ago, it is likely that they have already signed him off as being a good fit.The £70m price-tag also seems high for a player who may soon be blacklisted, which could make this a no-brainer for Liverpool.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox