Its trajectory is as linear as it is dazzling.

A precocious talent poached from Bordeaux for 20 million euros by Monaco in January 2020, the central midfielder therefore left the Principality for a contract until June 2028 with the reigning European champion club.

The two clubs said at midday on Saturday that they had reached an agreement for this transfer which must be sealed on Tuesday, after the player's medical examination.

Tchouaméni must be presented in stride (12:00) to the club champion of Europe and Spain.

Monaco realizes a strong capital gain with a transfer estimated at 80 M EUR plus 20 M EUR in bonuses, according to various sources familiar with the matter interviewed by AFP and various media.

Monegasque midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni overflows Bordeaux defender Tom Lacoux, during the 33rd day of Ligue 1, April 18, 2021 at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux thibaud moritz AFP / Archives

Ten percent of this capital gain, or 6 million euros excluding bonuses, are to be donated to Bordeaux, according to its same sources.

If Tchouaméni has chosen Madrid, it is because he feels ready and strong enough to satisfy his deep ambitions: to become a starter with a very big player in Europe to also be in Blue, in order to aim for the biggest trophies.

Didier Deschamps particularly appreciates the profile and strong personality of the man he started on September 1st.

"He was not impacted by the emotional aspect", analyzed the coach, seduced by "his youth, his confidence, his potential, and what he shows on the ground".

Since then, Tchouameni has compiled 11 selections (1 goal).

Coach Didier Deschamps jokes with midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni (g) and Paul Pogba, during training for the France team on September 3, 2021 at the Olympic Stadium in kyiv, on the eve of the playoff match for the Cup of the world in Qatar against Ukraine FRANCK FIFE AFP/Archives

Always attentive, respectful of the values ​​of a group, Tchouaméni naturally knows how to be appreciated, as well as respected.

If he got closer to Paul Pogba, with whom he "weaved ties" during his first selections, he did not hesitate to call Patrick Vieira, whom he had known as Nice coach, for him. ask for advice before his first gathering.

"Always Understand"

In the opinion of Niko Kovac as of Philippe Clément, his last coaches in Monaco, "he is like a sponge".

He absorbs advice, integrates it quickly and knows how to use it.

"Aurélien is very intelligent, explained Kovac in October. He knows how to do it. He knows that everyone is focused on him. But he is very strong in his head, very mature."

Because the player has "high ambitions".

"I have always been demanding with myself, he underlined just before his double at Lille in the league. And when I speak with my coach or my father, we take stock of things to improve."

Monegasque midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, congratulated by his teammates, after scoring against Lille, during the 36th day of Ligue 1, May 6, 2022 at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq DENIS CHARLET AFP / Archives

Marking is thus "a margin of progress for me", he recognizes, for example.

Tchouameni has a target.

"The World Cup is an important personal goal, he said. It will be a fair reward for my work. But it goes through good performances and goals achieved at club level."

In Madrid, the latter will be high and he will first have to win.

"When you're at the top, you have to know how to stay humble. He is," says Kovac, convinced of his success.

Committed against racism

Especially since the best midfielder in L1 in 2021/22 is not inclined to doubt.

He has a strong personality.

At the Stade Louis-II, this NBA enthusiast, for example, imposed a rap play-list to play during warm-ups.

He also knows how to show the muscles.

Insulted in Prague, last August, after scoring against the local team, during a preliminary round of C1, he denounced in full match the racist insults of which he was the victim.

Then he then communicated on his social networks.

"It's our turn to be heard, racism has no place in football or anywhere else," he wrote in particular, before calling on UEFA: "Having a posture against racism is easy. Acting against it is different."

The midfielder of the France team Aurélien Tchouaméni, during a press conference, on March 27, 2022 in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, two days before the friendly match against South Africa at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq FRANCK FIFE AFP/Archives

This cause, he continues to carry it.

He recently met in Paris, through a common sponsor, the American football player Colin Kaepernick who, in 2016, in the midst of the presidential election in the United States, knelt down during the national anthem. , to protest against racism and police violence against minorities.

With Tchouaméni, Madrid therefore sees the arrival not only of a great talent but also a man committed to his time.

© 2022 AFP