Chelsea closing in on Aurelien Tchouameni move?

Chelsea are reportedly in a strong position to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni next year.

The 21-year-old has been in impressive form for his Ligue 1 club during the 2021-22 campaign, while he has also become an important player for the French national team.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with the midfielder over the last few months, and according to English journalist Matt Law, the Blues "are very much in touch" with the France international over a move to London.

"It feels like it's heading in that direction," Law told the London is Blue Podcast. "[Chelsea] are very much in touch with, and I think there's a good relationship between Chelsea and [Jules] Kounde's agent from everything that went on in the summer.

"There was certainly no blame attached to Kounde's agent that the deal ended up heading south, it was all put on Sevilla's changing the goalposts. I know Kounde's agent was annoyed with Sevilla.

"It feels like he [Tchouameni] would be the sort of cheaper option than Declan Rice. Whether that makes him option A, let's see. But I certainly think, at the moment, there's a direction of travel that is quite positive in terms of Chelsea and Tchouameni."

Tchouameni, who has also been linked with Manchester United, has scored twice in 28 appearances for Monaco in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign.