Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is set to remain at the club, despite recent links with the Premier League.
The 23-year-old arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer in a big-money move from Monaco, but had a mixed first season in Madrid.
By the end of the campaign, the defensive midfielder had lost his place in the starting XI, and with Jude Bellingham joining this summer, there were question marks over whether Real would cash in on their investment.
However, a report from Marca, as quoted by Madrid Xtra, has confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep the France international, and that Tchouameni does not want to depart the club this summer.
Should Real Madrid keep Tchouameni?
Given the reported interest from Arsenal, now lies an opportunity for Los Blancos to make a profit on Tchouameni just one year after his arrival, following an underwhelming few months, with the player not currently a starter.
However, the club should not give in to this interest in the midfielder. Tchouameni, like Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo and others, was signed with the future in mind, and if he reaches his vast potential, Real Madrid may already have their desired midfield trio for the next decade.
With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ageing, Tchouameni has a golden chance next season to earn Ancelotti’s trust for the biggest games, having been benched for the Champions League semi-finals, and the long-term idea is that Tchouameni can form a midfield trio with two of Bellingham, Camavinga and Fede Valverde.
Selling him now would completely go against the young project currently in the works at Real Madrid, and they would be losing a potentially world-class talent after his first season.
Despite losing his starting place, Tchouameni made 50 appearances last season, and it seems highly unlikely that Florentino Perez would sanction the sale of such an important talent.