Chelsea were best placed to sign Tchouameni before sanctions

Aurelien Tchouameni is set to leave Monaco this summer, but it appears Chelsea have dropped out of the race to sign him.

Chelsea have reportedly seen their hopes of signing Monaco wonderkid Aurelien Tchouameni ruined by the sanctions that have hit them. The Blues have been banned from conducting transfer business of any kind as a result of the special UK government licence they are now forced to play under.

Tchouameni has starred for Monaco this season, featuring in all but two of their games in Ligue 1 so far. Despite being just 22-years-old, he has also captained the Monégasques on occasion.

But it has been a disappointing campaign at the Stade Louis II, with Niko Kovac already losing his job. They face a major battle to secure European football next season, currently sitting four points behind fifth-placed Strasbourg.

That downturn in league position has seen Tchouameni increasingly linked with a departure in the upcoming summer transfer window. A range of top clubs have stated their interest in signing the youngster, who is considered one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in French football.