Manager Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid will make a transfer decision for a coveted Premier League goal.
Real Madrid have already bolstered Alonso’s defence this summer, spending large sums of money to bring Spanish international Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth to the Bernabéu in a transfer worth €62.5 million. (Born in the Netherlands, plays for Spain)
Huijsen will be part of an otherwise aging or not complete central defense group at Real Madrid.
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Fichajes writes that there could be more defenders at the Santiago Bernabeu. Serie A club Roma are offering one of their centre-backs to Alonso for a sum of around €40 million and giving them first right.
The player’s availability could potentially trigger further interest from the Premier League, where several clubs have been in talks with Roma.
Los Blancos have been offered Paris-born Ivorian centre-back Evan Ndicka, who joined Roma from Eintracht Frankfurt two years ago and has made over 60 appearances in Serie A.
“The offer has come directly from the Italian club’s sporting director,” writes Javier Parra Peña.
“Ndicka, who has recent experience from both the Bundesliga and Serie A, is a profile that is well-liked in Valdebebas and has been followed by the technical team for several seasons. But the current scenario does not seem to favor this switch.”
The 25-year-old clearly has admirers in Madrid, but a club with a long history of spending heavily on star players in attack is unlikely to spend over £100m on two centre-backs while there are still midfielders and attackers playing for other teams.
Roma may have to rely on a bid from England, where both Arsenal and Newcastle United have shown their interest.
In April, it was reported that Ndicka could be sold for £40 million in the summer transfer window if the Giallorossi fail to qualify for Europe. Nottingham Forest were also linked with a concrete offer for the Ivorian in April.
Roma, who are now managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, qualified for the Europa League after the Serie A season, but it appears they are still willing to sell. According to the new report, Real Madrid have not taken the bait, but their need for depth is obvious.
Los Blancos won their second group game against Pachuca in Charlotte on Sunday (3 – 1), before facing group leader Red Bull Salzburg.
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They drew in their opening match against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
