Real Madrid News
Benfica set to demand ‘crazy money’ for Real Madrid target – report
En route to revamping their midfield for next season, Real Madrid are pursuing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. The Englishman is their priority transfer for next season, and Los Blancos have been working hard behind the scenes to push the move through.
That said, the move will not at all be easy for Madrid, with Dortmund set to demand nearly €150 million for the Englishman. As such, Florentino Perez and co. have set their eyes on Argentine superstar Enzo Fernandez as an alternative.
However, Benfica are not ready to mess around, either, and will demand ‘crazy money’ for the young midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano. The journalist says that price tag could reach nearly €80-85 million.
Benfica are historically tough negotiators, and do not undervalue any of their breakthrough assets. Most recently, they sold Joao Felix for €120 million to Atletico Madrid, and then Darwin Nunez to Liverpool this summer for €100 million.
Madrid could face additional trouble in pursuit of Enzo Fernandez, with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United in pursuit, as well. That said, the former will likely not be able to shell out as much as €85 million for a player given their financial turmoil.
Not to mention, Enzo’s price tag could increase further depending on his performances during the 2022 World Cup. He was on target for Argentina against Mexico, sealing their 2-0 win, and if he continues to put up displays like this, Benfica could hold out for an even higher price.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
