French midfielder Aurelien Chuamini said on Tuesday that fellow striker Kylian Mbappe had unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to turn down Real Madrid’s offer and join him at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 22-year-old ended up signing a six-year contract with the Spanish and European champions, and it was reported that the deal cost around 80 million euros ($83.65 million) in addition to 20 million in other add-ons and incentives for Monaco, according to the results.
After months of negotiations with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe ended up extending his contract with the French champions for three years.
Speaking at a press conference during his presentation as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday, Chwamini said: “Kylian decided to stay in Paris and called me knowing I would definitely leave Monaco.
“But I told him right away that my first choice was Real Madrid and he understood that perfectly.” I have to be at the best club in the world and I’m not afraid of the competition. I have to show my competence and I’m really looking forward to moving forward.
Chuamini can play in the centers of the defensive midfield and the midfielder, and thus will support this line that includes distinguished but old players: Luka Modric (36 years), Toni Kroos (32 years) and Casemiro (30 years).
Chuamini was crowned the best young player in the French League in the 2020-2021 season following joining Monaco from Bordeaux and was the subject of interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “Today a great footballer has arrived in our club, and we welcome one of the best midfielders in the world.
Chuamini will also join his fellow French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, 19, who joined Real Madrid in September 2021 from Rennes for an amount of up to 40 million euros.
Chuamini said he also received a phone call from another colleague in France, Karim Benzema, Real Madrid’s top scorer, and that he helped make his decision.
Chuamini said: Benzema is the best player in the world and when negotiations were progressing with Real, he sent me to help and tell me regarding the club. We talked later and everything went great.
Last season, Chuamini participated in 50 matches in all competitions with Monaco, scoring five goals and making three assists.
