Though initially taken in bad taste, Kylian Mbappe’s rejection of Real Madrid has opened up multiple avenues in the club’s transfer market.

With a replenished budget and salary cap, Los Blancos now look to strengthen other positions that required urgent attention but were sacrificed for the Frenchman’s arrival.

One amongst these positions is the defensive midfield. Casemiro has stamped his authority over the CDM position for Real Madrid in recent years, but Florentino Perez considers it the optimum time to sign a replacement.

Aurelien Tchouameni has been on the transfer list of several European giants for the coming summer transfer window. However, reports last night said that the AS Monaco midfielder had agreements in place with both Real Madrid and Liverpool.

According to Paul Gorst, Liverpool have been informed by Tchouameni’s entourage that the player has opted to join Madrid in June.

In 33 league starts for the Ligue 1 side this season, the youngster has scored three goals and provided two assists. His biggest impact, however, is defensively. The 22 year old averages three interceptions, 2.5 tackles, a clearance and seven duels won per ninety minutes.

At Real Madrid, Tchouameni would be part of a long term project alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde to replace the great midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.

One could argue that he would not find a better project proposal with any other club in Europe.

It remains to be seen if Perez can complete the player’s transfer without any further twists in the tale. The player’s desire to don the white of Madrid, however, comes as a big relief to the club for it all but seals his move to the Santiago Bernabeu.