Why Chelsea have transfer edge over Real Madrid in race to sign Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni

Real Madrid don't go in for subtly. So when the La Liga giants decide they are interested in signing a player, the entire football world knows about it. There are no uncertain terms.

Their pursuit of Eden Hazard is a prime example. Everybody, including the Belgian star, knew Real were keen on bringing him to the Bernabeu from Chelsea. For years, there were media briefings, praise from members of the Los Blancos squad, and club legends ready to eulogise about the Blues' talisman.

Chelsea kept Hazard at Stamford Bridge for as long as they could. And when he did eventually depart for Spain in the summer of 2020, the Blues ensured it was for a fee they were happy with: £130million to be exact.

Real have a pattern in the transfer market and it is one that has proved hugely successful. Players are lured by the club's history, by their success in the European Cup, and by the money on offer. Very few are able to resist.

That brings us to Aurelien Tchouameni, the Monaco star who has caught the eye of the Spanish super club.

It was back in October that the France international's face was plastered across the front page of Marca. The headline read: Tchouameni's worth €60million (£49.9million). Monaco ready to negotiate over the midfielder.

Again, not exactly subtle. Yet it had the desired effect as it caught the attention of Tchouameni and his family. The seed had very much been planted.

"I was in Paris, after the Nations League," Tchouameni told L'Equpe in November. "And I see that I have been called by everyone. What is this story?

"My father phones me, we talk about everything, and he sent Marca’s front page to me. I went on Twitter and saw it too.”

Real's interest in Tchouameni is genuine and – again according to Marca –