Liverpool could be set to go toe-to-toe with Spanish giants Real Madrid to secure the services of talented French and LOSC Lille midfield starlet Aurelién Tchouameni in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Per reports from the reliable Paul Joyce (northern football correspondent for the Times), interest in Tchouameni has been confirmed as Jürgen Klopp‘s Reds look for midfield reinforcements.

Those reports have been corroborated in France as well after journalist Santi Aouna not only confirmed the interest but stated that Liverpool has already reached out to the French international’s representatives to discuss a potential summer deal.

But at current, Liverpool could be made to battle it out with Madrid who has long harbored an interest in the 22-year-old Rouen-native, but other rumors emerging from Spain suggest that the interest from the La Liga leaders has cooled, with Tchouameni no longer being a ‘priority’ according to journalist Sergio Santos.

Should the potential price tag for the Frenchman be considered too much, the club is said to be willing to turn to other targets to fit the need in the summer.

Liverpool has also been linked with Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham this season, but the difference in the profile of the two players – and surely the price tag that would come with the England international would be too high – would potentially rule the youngster out as a possible targeted replacement.

Though the Reds happily boast Thiago, Naby Keïta, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson in their midfield ranks, the likes of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and James Milner look set to part ways with the Anfield crowd in the summer, which could make enough room for Tchouameni to come in and finalize a very credible midfield quintet.

Adding academy graduate Curtis Jones to the mix only further speaks to the quality that Klopp would have at his disposal should a deal go through.