Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Nabil Fekir and could plot a player-plus-cash deal to swoop him away from Real Betis in the summer.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Real Madrid are considering to offer a player-plus-cash deal to sign Nabil Fekir from Real Betis in the summer transfer window. The defending La Liga champions could use Mariano Diaz as a sweetener in their bid to land the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Fekir has been a key figure for Real Betis since arriving from Lyon in the summer of 2019. Set to complete his second full season with Los Verdiblancos, the 27-year-old has been enjoying a fine 2020/21 campaign till date, with 4 goals and 6 assists in 29 La Liga appearances so far.
His continued progress at the Benito Villamarin Stadium has certainly not gone unnoticed, with a number of top clubs across Europe starting to get linked with Fekir. And, Real Madrid appear to be the latest in the long line of suitors for the French international.
Real Madrid appear set to bolster their midfield in the summer transfer window, seeing as Isco has a non-existent future with the club. In addition, Martin Odegaard could well be offloaded in the summer, with Arsenal and Liverpool keen on signing him.
Meanwhile, with Luka Modric in the final phase of his career, it is prudent for Los Blancos to keep their options open, which is why they seem to be getting linked with several midfielders heading into the summer transfer window. One such option is Dani Olmo, who is also a target for arch-rivals Barcelona.
In addition, Nicolo Barella has also been reported to be an option to replace Odegaard. Fekir, though, could be a viable target as well for Real Madrid, with the fact that he has already spent a couple of years in La Liga meaning he could take little time to settle in the Spanish capital.
In fact, it looks like Real Madrid are already formulating some sort of a deal to convince Real Betis to part ways with Fekir, as they are set to offer Mariano Diaz as a makeweight. Indeed, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez recently confirming that finances are tight, executing such a deal might be the best way forward for the Merengues.
Having said that, it will be interesting to see if Real Betis are open to the prospect of such a player-plus-cash deal to part with the 27-year-old. For now, it looks like Fekir has emerged on the radar of Real Madrid and a summer move could well be in the offing for the 2018 World Cup winner.
