Real Madrid News
Real Madrid interested in 25-year-old Newcastle United mainstay
Real Madrid will need to replenish their midfield department in the near future as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are in the final phase of their respective contracts.
The veteran pair’s current contract with the club expires in the summer and they are yet to sign new deals. Even if they do, the duo could continue for only one more year at the most, at which time Los Blancos will need to be ready to replace them.
Real Madrid, to that end, have already started their preparations and have identified Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund as their primary target. But with his €150 million price tag proving to be a hiccup, the Spanish champions are looking at other options as well.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are interested in Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The 25-year-old joined Newcastle in January last year, arriving from Olympique Lyon in a deal worth around €42 million. He has taken to the Premier League like duck to water and has become one of the best midfielders in the English top flight.
Having helped Newcastle stave off relegation last season, Guimaraes has been one of the chief driving forces behind their push for Champions League football this campaign.
Naturally, his exploits have garnered the attention of the big boys of Europe, with Real Madrid taking an interest in the Brazilian international.
This is not the first time that talks of Los Blancos’ interest in Guimaraes are doing the rounds. The 25-year-old had previously downplayed those links, stating that he is happy and well-settled at Newcastle United.
And, that stance is unlikely to change in the summer either, especially if Eddie Howe’s side end up qualifying for the Champions League or Europa League.
So, while Real Madrid hold an interest in Guimaraes, a move this summer, as things stand, appears extremely unlikely.
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.
