Chelsea ‘have been following Tchouameni for months’ but face transfer battle with ‘several’ giants including Liverpool

And the German boss is a huge fan of Tchouameni, 22.

It’s now said Chelsea have been keeping close tabs on the anchorman for months.

Jorginho is being linked with a summer move to Juventus, while N’Golo Kante is out of contract in 2023.

West Ham’s Declan Rice is also of interest, but he could cost over £100million.

Any new recruits at Chelsea this summer will be hugely dependent on who the club's new owners are - and how willing they are to invest in playing staff.

But if they are in a position to chase £42m-rated Tchouameni, the Blues will find he has admirers elsewhere.

Liverpool are thought to be Chelsea’s biggest challengers, with Jurgen Klopp needing long-term cover for ageing stars Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara.

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Manchester United have also been linked as they prepare to lose Paul Pogba on a free transfer.

And Real Madrid also want Tchouameni as part of their midfield rebuild alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.

France international Tchouameni has already clocked up a whopping 42 appearances for Monaco this season - as many as he made last term.

And Tchouameni played the whole 90 minutes in yesterday’s triumphant 3-0 win over Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

But he may not be around in the French league for much longer as a potential bidding war looms.