Real Madrid set Chelsea £43m deadline as Thomas Tuchel eyes Aurelien Tchouameni backup plan

Real Madrid have given Chelsea a deadline for the signing of Casemiro ahead of the summer transfer window

Casemiro and Eder Militao of Real Madrid speaking prior the game during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 10, 2021
Real Madrid set Chelsea £43m deadline as Tuchel eyes Tchouameni backup plan
Chelsea have reportedly identified Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro as a potential option ahead of the upcoming transfer window. Thomas Tuchel seems keen to bolster his armoury this summer, having been heavily linked with Aurelien Tchouameni and Declan Rice this season.

The Blues’ urgency to invest in midfield follows the uncertain futures of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, who are both set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of next season once their contracts expire. However, should Todd Boehly look to acquire reinforcements in a swift manner, the west Londoners will have to wait until after the Champions League final to learn Casemiro’s availability, according to the Mirror.

The report outlines that the 30-year-old, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu runs until June 2025, wants a bumper new contract with the Spanish giants. But, the Mirror adds that Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez is ‘adamant’ that the club cannot give him one.

As a result, it’s believed that Real Madrid will welcome offers for the Brazil international this summer and they’re prepared to let Casemiro go if a bid of around £42.5 million is made. Though, the report notes that the La Liga champions will ‘gladly’ keep the defensive midfielder if he retracts his desire for a raise.

Nonetheless, Chelsea have been credited with interest in the Brazilian, but face tough competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. However, according to the Mirror, Casemiro favours a move to the Premier League and would demand a three-year deal in west London.

Ironically, Tchouameni, who has been linked with the Blues, has been eyed as the perfect replacement for Casemiro by Carlo Ancelotti, according to Spanish outlet Marca. Therefore, Chelsea may be inclined to surrender their initial interest in the AS Monaco youngster for an older head.

The Real Madrid midfielder featured in either leg of the Champions League quarter-final against the Blues, steering Los Blancos a step closer to the final. Speaking to AS ahead of the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro said of Chelsea: “We can’t talk about our weapons, otherwise we’ll feed our opponents.

“We can’t trust them, we’re counting on the fans, it will be very difficult. They have their weapons, we have ours, and the best team will go through. They are the Champions League winners, they have our total respect.”