REAL MADRID have reportedly made Jude Bellingham and Josko Gvardiol their top summer transfer targets.
Bellingham, 19, is one of the most in-demand teenagers in world football after his exploits at the World Cup and for Borussia Dortmund.
GettyJude Bellingham is one of two top transfer targets for Real Madrid[/caption]
GettyCroatian star Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is the other[/caption]
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with the ex-Birmingham City midfield ace.
We reported last month how Newcastle had now joined the transfer chase, while Real Madrid have also held a heavy interest in signing the teenage sensation.
Los Blancos have been trying to work on a deal for some time with their chief scout Juni Calafat already “taking care of relations” with Bellingham’s father, Mark, who manages his son’s career.
But there was a growing feeling that they “are becoming resigned to the fact that the financial muscle of the Premier League is almost unbeatable”.
However, after famously missing out on Kylian Mbappe last summer, the England international has been made one Madrid’s “main targets” for the next transfer window.
That is according to Spanish publication Sport, who also claim that fellow World Cup star Gvardiol is the other.
Chelsea have targeted the Croatian defender for several months and tried to sign him in January.
But after Gvardiol scored for RB Leipzig against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 last week his manager Marco Rose issued a hands off warning.
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The ace is under contract until 2027 – but that does not appear to be deterring Madrid.
Los Blancos are allegedly preparing for the departure of midfield veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at the end of the season along with defender Nacho Fernandez.
And they look set to go all-out to bring in the young duo to bolster their ranks and replace them.