Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s pursuit of 19-year-old midfielder not dependent on Modric and Kroos
Jude Bellingham is one of Real Madrid’s transfer priorities for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is regarded as the future of English football, but his future might lie in Spain, as the European champions look to secure his services in 2023.
Many believe Bellingham has been targeted as a direct replacement for Luka Modric. So naturally, the club’s pursuit of the Englishman may rely heavily on the future of Modric and even Toni Kroos, to an extent.
However, a recent report from MARCA has clarified that Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bellingham is not dependent on the fate of either Modric or Kroos.
This is because there is a strong sense of feeling with the Real Madrid camp that the club need to induce young blood into the squad. The club have invested heavily in players such as Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in recent years.
However, in order to break the dominance of Modric and Kroos, another big-money investment could be the need of the hour. And that is where Bellingham comes into the fray.
The Dortmund starlet has shown impeccable leadership, skill and versatility at a young age. He also offers ample experience at the highest level of football and could emerge as the ideal man to spearhead a new look Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
Luring Bellingham away from Dortmund, though, might not be a walk in the park. The Bundesliga giants have no intention of offloading their prized asset and value him at around €150 million. Real Madrid, to that end, are reluctant to pay more than €120 million.
Therefore, the European champions must break the bank if they are to secure the services of the former Birmingham City starlet next season. Alternatively, they could look for cost-effective options in the market, with Manuel Locatelli emerging as one of the candidates.
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.
