Chelsea and Liverpool given boost in race for 'extraordinary' transfer after Real Madrid choice

Chelsea and Liverpool have been handed a boost in the race for Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after Real Madrid reportedly decided to postpone their pursuit of the youngster. Madrid had previously been reported as the Frenchman's most likely destination but that now appears to have changed.

Tchouameni has been in outstanding form for Monaco in Ligue 1 this season, with the defensive midfielder also providing three goals. Thomas Tuchel is eager to bolster his midfield unit, with both N'Golo Kante and Jorginho set to enter the final years of their respective contracts.

The 22-year-old has also started and played the full 90 minutes of three of France's last five international games and looks set to play a role in the upcoming World Cup for Didier Deschamp's side. One person he has impressed in the process is international teammate and Manchester United man Paul Pogba.

"Very, very good,” Pogba said of Tchouameni to broadcaster RTL, via Ouest-France after the youngster's international debut. "He’s not a boy, he’s a man. Pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality. We wish him to play lots of matches, and that I am always at his side."

It is easy to see, then, why Tchouameni has caught the eye of Chelsea scouts ahead of the transfer window, but signing the midfielder will be anything but easy. Liverpool and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the midfielder, while Real Madrid have previously been touted as favourites to land him.

But now a report from Marca, via Metro, has revealed that Los Blancos will delay their pursuit, with Carlo Ancelotti happy with his current options at the Bernabeu. Luka Modrid, Toni Kroos, Casemiro