After a couple of years without making major transfers, Real Madrid want to bare their fangs again. The 13-time Champions League winners look to beef up their squad ahead of next season.
Money had been an issue for Los Merengues as they embarked on the multi-million dollar renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu. With work to finish on the stadium next year, Florentino Perez is ready to go into the transfer market for another round of Galactico purchase.
Kylian Mbappe is reportedly joining Madrid in the summer, but Perez also has eyes on other players as he looks to plug holes in the team. Marcelo will retire at the end of the season, and Daniel Carvajal has had continuous injury battles. The two positions require bolstering, but Perez also has eyes for a central defender, and Wesley Fofana has popped up on Real Madrid’s radar.
Real Madrid target Fofana
Last summer, Real Madrid made a bargain buy as Los Blancos secured the signing of Austrian international defender David Alaba. The former Bayern Munich player joined Real Madrid on a free transfer. It is a massive coup for the club.
Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana is a subject of interest from Real Madrid, and when the summer window opens, the Foxes have a battle on their hands to keep the defender. The French centre-back does not interest Real Madrid alone - Chelsea and Manchester United are known admirers of the defender.
Fofana popped up on the radar of the La Liga giants last month, and he has declared his desire to play Champions League football. Real Madrid can guarantee Fofana Champions League football, and as it is, the feelings between both parties are mutual.
Last September, Fofana described Real Madrid’s interest as an honour and claimed Los Blancos as the club of his dreams. Fofana called Real Madrid the biggest club on the planet, and he desires to play there.
Defensa Central report that the Spanish champions have a genuine interest in the 21-year-old and that Real Madrid are keen to get Fofana to bolster their defence in the summer.
Real Madrid pull out of Rudiger pursuit
Antonio Rudiger is in the final six months of his Chelsea contract. The German has been in top form since Thomas Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have not yet reached an agreement with Rudiger, and it looks like the defender will leave Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid had shown interest in the defender, but it has waned due to the demands made by the German international. Sevilla’s Jules Kounde came up as an option, but Los Merengues were irked by the prohibitive release clause of €80 million.
Real Madrid have decided that Fofana is a better option and is more value for money at 21. Los Blancos believe they can get the French defender for around €40 million. Fofana joined Leicester City from Saint-Etienne for £31 million, but Real Madrid’s estimation of the player seems optimistic.
Fofana is recuperating from a broken leg & ankle ligament damage suffered in the club’s final pre-season match against Villarreal. According to Brendan Rodgers, the defender will return to action this month.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
