Liverpool open talks with €80m midfielder after claim they're facing ‘intense battle’ with Man Utd to sign him

Liverpool have recently held talks with Aurélien Tchouameni's entourage as the midfielder is set to leave AS Monaco this summer.

Jurgen Klopp may be adding an incredible player in Luis Diaz to his attack but the Reds are yet to solve their midfield issues although they may be organically solved with the returns of Thiago and Naby Keita.

The former is expected back from injury after the international break and should be fit to face Inter Milan after being sidelines with coronavirus and then a hip injury. He is a key player, with Liverpool really struggling without his control and composure.

Naby Keita, along with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, will be available for Liverpool's next Premier League match against Leicester City after Guinea were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Yet, this summer should still see another midfielder arrive at Anfield as James Milner will be on his way out due to his contract expiry while it's possible player sales could dictate further incoming if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita move on.

Liverpool have held talks with Aurelien Tchouameni's entourage as the 22-year-old is set to leave AS Monaco at the end of the season and the Reds want to be in consideration as he makes a decision on his future.

That's according to RMC Sport, who reports that Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus are all interested as the French midfielder takes the next step in his career.

Marca reports that his price has been set at €80million which means Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will need to be absolutely certain about him if they are going to sign him but at that price, there's an argument to be made that the Reds should stump up the extra cash that's required to sign Jude Bellingham.

90Min reported just right before Christmas that it will cost around the £50million mark to sign him and the Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed in his ‘Transfer Mailbag‘ that the midfielder is one of the players Jurgen Klopp admires

Ornstein writes: “One of the candidates is Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, although among those also keen on the 21-year-old France international are Manchester United and therefore, if Liverpool choose to take their interest further, the battle for his services is likely to be intense.”