Jose Mourinho has barely started at Real Madrid.
The ink on his appointment is barely dry.
Yet his defensive transfer shortlist is already taking very clear shape, with one name rising to the top above all others.
Josko Gvardiol set to become Jose Mourinho’s primary Real Madrid target
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City’s Gvardiol has emerged as Jose Mourinho’s preferred target to strengthen Real Madrid’s defence this summer, identified as the most attainable elite option available as the club pushes to reshape their back line ahead of the new campaign.
The Croatian international is viewed as the frontrunner because of one simple reality.
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, is simply not available.
The Gunners have made their position crystal clear.
However, Calafiori has three years remaining on his contract and Arsenal would demand a huge fee before even entertaining a conversation.
That firm stance has prompted Real to redirect their focus.
Yet Gvardiol, who joined City from RB Leipzig for £77.6 million in 2023, has moved firmly to the top of the shortlist.
However, the appeal is straightforward.
Mourinho wants versatility above all else in this defensive addition.
And Gvardiol offers all of that.
He is also a player whose contract situation introduces a complication for City.
Two years remain on his current deal.
And while the Etihad club are determined to tie him down to a new long-term contract, no agreement has yet been reached.
Thus, that’s the window Real Madrid are monitoring.
If City cannot get a deal done this summer, the leverage shifts.
For their part, they are adamant.
They don’t want to sell.
But Real Madrid have been here before.
Identifying a defender they want, finding a gap in the contractual situation, and making life very difficult for the selling club to resist.
And the pursuit has officially begun.
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