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Real Madrid reportedly identify Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol as their top targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham and RB Leipzig‘s Josko Gvardiol as their top targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Bellingham is set to become one of the most sought-after midfielders ahead of the 2023-24 season, with a host of top European clubs including Los Blancos keen to win the race for his signature.
The 19-year-old, who is also wanted by Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, has developed into a star player at Dortmund during his near three-year spell in Germany, recording 20 goals and 24 assists in 120 games across all competitions.
Speculation surrounding Bellingham’s long-term future is rife, but Dortmund are hopeful that they can keep hold of the midfielder for “as long as possible” with his current contract due to expire in June 2025.
“Of course we’re trying to keep Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund as long as possible,” BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Ruhr Nachrichten.
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“He’s an incredibly important player who has shown once again this season how he identifies with this club and makes the team better.”
However, the prospect of becoming the latest ‘Galactico’ signing at Real Madrid could appeal to Bellingham, with manager Carlo Ancelotti expected to enter the market for a new midfielder this summer.
Thirty-seven-year-old Luka Modric has expressed his desire to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he is yet to extend his contract that expires in June, while 33-year-old Toni Kroos faces the same predicament.
According to Sport, Real Madrid ‘plan to revolutionize the transfer market’ with club president Florentino Perez hoping to reinforce Ancelotti’s squad with the big-money signings of Bellingham and Leipzig defender Gvardiol.
Gvardiol, is another player who has been strongly linked with a number of top clubs after establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in Europe over the last few seasons.
The 21-year-old, who helped Croatia finish third at the 2022 World Cup, has already made 73 appearances across all tournaments for Leipzig, boasting both Bundesliga and Champions League experience.
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The left-footed defender is believed to be viewed by Real Madrid as a potential replacement for long-serving Spaniard Nacho Fernandez, 33, who is out of contract in the summer.
Similarly with Bellingham, Los Blancos are expected to face stern competition for Gvardiol’s signature, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United all said to be interested in his services.
Gvardiol recently expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, but Leipzig boss Marco Rose has played down talks of a potential exit for the defender this summer.
“Josko Gvardiol will be an RB Leipzig player next season,” Rose told reporters last week. “I am the coach and I am asking for that. He is happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League but he didn’t say when.”
Gvardiol is under contract with Leipzig until June 2027 and is understood to have a €110m (£96.9m) release clause in his deal that expires in 2024, while Dortmund have allegedly places a €150m (£132m) price tag on Bellingham.
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