Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rival Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus in free transfer race for German striker
Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko is gathering a lot of interest from top clubs across Europe as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus are all set to battle for his signing next summer, reports SPORT.
Moukoko, a product of Dortmund’s youth academy, has been in and around the first-team picture for quite some time now. However, the 17-year-old has well and truly exploded in the ongoing campaign, putting in some hugely impactful displays.
Indeed, the teenage striker has already netted six goals and set up four more from just 12 Bundesliga matches this term, with two of his goals coming earlier today against VfL Bochum.
With Moukoko set to become a free agent at the end of the season, clubs are now lining up to sign the forward who will turn 18 later this month.
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Moukoko in the past and could do with a player like him as they lack a proper backup for Karim Benzema in the No. 9 role.
But with competition for the German Under-21 international increasing by the day, things will get difficult for Real Madrid. After all, clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus can be attractive destinations for the young striker.
Furthermore, the possibility of him continuing at Dortmund cannot be ruled out either. After the game against VfL Bochum, Moukoko said (h/t Fabrizio Romano):
“I have been here at Borussia Dortmund for 7 years, I feel at home here. I know this club very well and the manager Terzic trusts me.”
So, there is a chance that Moukoko might be convinced into signing a new contract at Dortmund as well. If not, Real Madrid will be ready to swoop in, but will have to stave off competition from several other teams.
Manchester City have now joined the ever-growing list of admirers for Celta Vigo midfielder and Real Madrid target Gabri Veiga, reports Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the breakout stars of La Liga this season, having impressed with his goalscoring abilities from the centre of the park. Indeed, the youngster has notched up nine goals in La Liga and his exploits have made the giants of Europe sit up and take notice.
Real Madrid are said to be interested in Veiga’s services heading into the summer. The Merengues have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos on expiring contracts and it is unlikely that all three will be renewed, especially with Jude Bellingham being on the agenda.
In case of Modric and Kroos, even if they stay, it will likely be for only a season at the most. Hence, Los Blancos could require more than one central midfielder come summer, with Veiga emerging as an option.
The 20-year-old was also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Now, Manchester City have also jumped on the bandwagon of clubs interested in Veiga’s services.
The Cityzens, who are battling Real Madrid for Bellingham as well, are set to lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is also far from certain, thus necessitating the signing of another midfielder.
Veiga has a release clause worth €40 million in his contract with Celta Vigo, which should not be a problem for either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino recently admitted that the midfielder could leave the club in the summer, saying:
“We don’t want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there. We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for Veiga’s signing or decide to entirely focus on their pursuit of Bellingham.
