Real Madrid News
Real Madrid continue to hold interest in Bundesliga defender, but player unlikely to be sold
According to reports from Florian Plettenberg, Real Madrid continue to be interested in Croatia’s World Cup standout Josko Gvardiol for the summer. However, it appears prima facie that the deal will be difficult to negotiate.
The player is contracted will RB Leipzig on a long-term deal that runs until the summer of 2027. The club do not completely reject the idea of letting him go but wish to keep him for at least another season.
The German journalist further adds that Leipzig would be unmoved even if an offer of €100 million arrived at their doorstep in the coming summer. Given the circumstances, all his suitors would find it difficult to negotiate with the Bundesliga side.
At just 21 years of age, Gvardiol offers the complete package. His defensive awareness, speed and positioning are top-notch and would make him a good fit under Carlo Ancelotti.
The youngster has played 23 of Leipzig’s Bundesliga games this term and started on 18 of those occasions. He has overseen four clean sheets and averages over seven defensive actions per game.
While his club campaign is impressive, it was his World Cup run that brought him the spotlight. He was a critical part of Croatia’s run to the semifinal with an average of 11 defensive actions every 90 minutes.
Real Madrid would have to fight off interest from clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City. and Liverpool if they are to sign the defensive prodigy. However, Los Blancos are not in dire need of a marquee centre-back whose cost would run into nine-digit values.
Ancelotti has the defence covered in Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez, and Eder Militao for the ongoing season. That said, the club could go all out for the Croatian in the summer of 2024.
Speaking to the media, Brazil Football Confederations (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has claimed that the Selecao have not given up on their pursuit of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, despite the Italian stating that he will not leave the club.
Brazil have been without a manager since the World Cup in Qatar last year, following which Tite stepped down. The CBF have made Ancelotti their top target and have been pursuing his signing for months but to no avail.
The 63-year-old Italian tactician has, on more than one occasion, made it clear that he will be at Real Madrid next season, with his contract expiring in 2024.
However, CBF president Rodrigues is adamant that Ancelotti’s statements are due to him being cautious as he is under contract at Real Madrid and that the Selecao are not prepared to give up on their quest to appoint him as of yet.
“We made a plan, that ‘Plan A’ is the one you know, Ancelotti, and as they say in the ‘ring’ (boxing), I haven’t thrown in the towel yet,” Rodrigues said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Because of contracts, people are cautious,” he added.
Ancelotti, for his part, has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid unless he is forced out of the club.
Despite missing out on the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League titles last season, the club continue to back the veteran Italian and are planning for next season with him in charge.
So, despite Rodrigues’ confidence and perseverance, it is extremely unlikely that Ancelotti will be leaving Real Madrid for Brazil this summer.
