Real Madrid News
World Cup star linked with Real Madrid has given ‘green light’ to Chelsea move – Romano
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements. The Spanish giants, after all, are facing a battle to convince Toni Kroos to prolong his stay at the club while Luka Modric is only expected for a period of up to one more year.
Dani Ceballos is expected to leave the club as well, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. This has accentuated the need for a new midfielder, who can strengthen the ranks in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid have been linked with a host of players lately, including Argentina’s World Cup hero Enzo Fernandez. The youngster is one of two players the club are seriously considering making a move in 2023, with Jude Bellingham being the other.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Fernandez has been edging closer to a potential move to Chelsea. The Premier League giants have been monitoring the youngster’s performance ever since his heroics in the World Cup and have made initial steps to lure him away from SL Benfica.
Romano suggests Fernandez has already given his ‘green light’ for a move to Stamford Bridge. The contract for personal terms should not be a problem for the Argentine, who was awarded the Best Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup.
Fernandez does have a €120 million release clause embedded in his Benfica contract, but Chelsea have offered different terms. It is now up to Benfica to reach an agreement with the Blues and it will come as a surprise to see the deal to gather pace in the coming days.
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt is already considering whether or not he should start Fernandez in tonight’s game against SC Braga.
Fernandez’s potential move to Chelsea is unlikely to come as a major blow for Real Madrid as the Spanish champions are in a good position to land their priority target in the form of Bellingham.
The Whites have reportedly set aside €130 million for the Borussia Dortmund starlet, who is favouring a move to the Spanish capital ahead of return to England, amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.
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.
Howard
December 31, 2022 at 6:38 am
Sure Chelsea offered more money. They have a history of throwing money at players to get them. No financial discipline