Liverpool set out Sadio Mane transfer demands as Jude Bellingham signal sent

It didn't take any further studying past the level of GCSE Spanish to get the gist of the front page of AS earlier this week.

Just a few hours removed from Real Madrid's 14th Champions League crown at the expense of Liverpool on Saturday night, the Spanish daily sports newspaper's main headline was a big one: 'Tchouameni inminente'.

Fresh from being crowned champions of Europe, los Blancos were already making significant headway on further additions to their squad. The player in question, of course, is Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, somebody who had previously attracted interest inside Liverpool's own recruitment department.

At the age of 22 and having broken into the French international ranks, the Reds had explored the possibility of adding him to the plethora of options in the Anfield engine room and their good relationship with Monaco was thought to have been an agreeable aspect for any potential deal.

It became clear, though, once overtures had been made that Tchouameni had set his heart on a move to Madrid. And after missing out on a certain Kylian Mbappe, following his decision to stay put at Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid chiefs have only had their resolve steeled in a pursuit of another great hope of France football.

Tchouameni's agent told Liverpool that Real Madrid will be his next destination, meaning attention will need to be turned elsewhere in the pursuit of a midfielder. Anfield insiders insist they are relaxed over that at present and there is no desperate search for another given the options currently available to Jurgen Klopp right now.

Reports linking Naby Keita with a move away have been dismissed pure fabrication and with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara also giving Klopp