Liverpool’s pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has hit a roadblock as the Spanish giants have reportedly turned down an offer exceeding €60 million (£51.6m) from the Reds.

A report from Spain’s Defensa Central via Liverpool ECHO talks about how the Reds’ bid of upwards of £50m stood rejected. The Frenchman, who had caught Liverpool’s attention last summer, joined Real Madrid instead, leaving the Merseyside club empty-handed.

Real Madrid further strengthened their midfield options with the recent acquisition of Jude Bellingham (not official news yet), a long-standing target for Liverpool, again leaving the Reds with egg on their face. Despite the arrival of Bellingham, Tchouameni remains firmly in Madrid’s plans.

The Spanish giants apparently consider the 23-year-old as an integral part of their project, describing him as an ‘immovable backbone crucial to consolidating their future aspirations’. At the moment, it seems like Real will stand as the roadblock for the second time in Liverpool’s pursuit of Tchouameni.

Tchouameni blow for the Reds

For Liverpool, missing out on Tchouameni’s services is undoubtedly a setback. The club had identified the Frenchman as a player capable of making a significant impact in their midfield setup. However, their pursuit was ultimately thwarted by Real Madrid’s determination to hold on to their rising star.

As Liverpool regroups in their search for midfield reinforcements, they will explore other potential options to strengthen their squad.