Mbappe told me to snub Real Madrid - Tchouameni

Mueez Ajao

– Aurelien Tchouameni said Kylian Mbappe tried to persuade him to sign for Paris Saint-Germain but understood his decision to move to Real Madrid.

– Madrid confirmed the acquisition of Tchouameni last week from AS Monaco in a deal worth an initial €80 million, the European champions saw off competition from PSG and Liverpool to land the midfielder.

– Mbappe himself turned down interest from Madrid earlier in the summer to renew his contract with PSG, but he could not persuade his France teammate to do the same.

Also Read: OFFICIAL: Real Madrid confirm signing of Tchouaméni from Monaco

– “Kylian decided to stay at PSG and he knew I was leaving Monaco,” Tchouameni said at his presentation as a Madrid player on Tuesday.

Tengo tantas ganas unirme al équipo para seguir escribiendo aquella Historia por hacer 🤍⏳
Can’t wait to join the team and take a part in the history we’ll make 🤍⏳ pic.twitter.com/t00g1hiiJQ
— Tchouameni Aurélien (@atchouameni) June 14, 2022

– “He wanted to know if I would join him at PSG. But my first choice was Real Madrid and he understood that completely.”

💬 @atchouameni: "Hello everyone. I'm very happy to be here to start my story at Real Madrid, the best club in the world. I'm very happy and we're going to work hard to win more titles for this club. Thanks to the president, my agent and my family for being here. Hala Madrid!" pic.twitter.com/8d7AAJT4Vg
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 14, 2022

– Tchouameni, 22, has signed a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and said that despite interest from PSG and Liverpool, he was sold on Madrid from the start.

🗣️ @atchouameni #WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/pUewxnIaOw
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 14, 2022

– “I had the chance to choose other teams but once I knew Real Madrid were interested, I did not have a single doubt,” he added.

🤝 @atchouameni #WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/tfbJlvGyOE
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 14, 2022

– “I spoke with other clubs but in my head I was always waiting for Madrid. I spoke with my agent, my family and [Monaco] to find the best agreement for everyone.

👋 Say hello to our new No. nº1️⃣8️⃣!
👉 @atchouameni #WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/aVtxu2dbvw
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 14, 2022

– “Madrid are the biggest club in the world, they have a team with incredible players and I think it’s the best decision for me.”

👍 The @Sanitas thumbs up photo is here!
✅ Medical
📌 Hospital Universitario Sanitas La Moraleja#WelcomeTchouameni | @atchouameni pic.twitter.com/k7Gq8yS753
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 14, 2022

– Tchouameni watched excitedly as his new club, which also won LaLiga this past season, dramatically knocked out PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City on the path to a 14th European Cup.

🤍 ¡Qué bien te sienta el blanco, @atchouameni! 🤍#WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/sVzIp7qSt0
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 14, 2022

– “There were already negotiations with Madrid at that stage,” he said of watching those knockout ties.

🗣️ @atchouameni #WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/vFtJJPMJzz
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 14, 2022

– “Then when I saw the games against PSG, Chelsea and City, I wrote to people saying: ‘Please, do what you can so that I can go to Real Madrid!'”

💬 @atchouameni 💬
"Hola a todos, estoy muy contento de estar aquí para empezar mi historia con el Real Madrid, el mejor club del mundo."#WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/sy5I4zgyeV
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 14, 2022

– Tchouameni, who will inherit Gareth Bale’s No. 18 shirt, is seen by Madrid as a potential long-term replacement for Casemiro, 30, and will form part of a new midfield generation at the Bernabeu alongside Federico Valverde (23) and Eduardo Camavinga (19).