MADRID – France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has joined Real Madrid from Monaco, both clubs announced.
According to sources the 22-year-old has cost the Champions League and La Liga holders more than 80 million Euros ($84 million) as well as an additional 20 million Euros in bonuses.
The former Bordeaux playmaker has won 10 caps since making his Les Bleus debut in September.
“Real Madrid and Monaco have agreed on the transfer of the player Aurelien Tchouameni, who will be linked to the club for the next six seasons,” they said according to AFP.
“Next Tuesday, June 14, at 12:00 at Real Madrid City, the presentation ceremony for Aurelien Tchouameni as a new Real Madrid player will take place after the corresponding medical examination,” they added.
Madrid has also signed Chelsea centre-back Antonio Ruediger ahead of the new season but missed out on Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe last month as he decided to stay in the French capital.
Madrid already has an even younger France midfielder in its squad in 19-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, who joined from Rennes last offseason, and played a key role – mostly off the bench – in the team’s run to winning the Champions League title last month.
Striker Karim Benzema is another France star in the Madrid team.
Elsewhere, Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto has signed a one-year extension to his contract, with his new deal expiring in 2023, the club confirmed.
“FC Barcelona and Sergi Roberto have reached an agreement to extend his contract until 30 June 2023. The player’s buy-out clause will be set at €400 million,” Barcelona said in a statement according to AFP, describing the 30-year-old as “Blaugrana through and through”.
Sergi Roberto has reportedly accepted a 60 per cent salary-cut to stay at Barca. The Spaniard will earn 5 million Euros per year, as the club continues to try to reduce its wage bill.
Barcelona’s debts reached €1.3 billion at the start of last season, with almost €390 million related to player salaries.
Sergi Roberto is yet to play under Xavi Hernandez at Barca after a hamstring ruled him out for the majority of last season.
After coming through the youth teams at La Masia, Sergi Roberto made his first team debut in 2011 at the age of 19.
He has since gone on to make 316 appearances for the club, with his versatility especially valuable, given he has played both central midfield and right back.
“I’ve been at this club for half my life and I hope to enjoy it again and bring joy back to the fans,” he said.
