Barcelona are reportedly battling arch-rivals Real Madrid in pursuit of 27-year-old German international Matthias Ginter this summer.
According to a report by Sky Sport Germany, Matthias Ginter is set to spark a transfer battle between the biggest clubs in Spain. Barcelona and Real Madrid have already registered their interest in the 27-year-old German international, who is also being courted by Atletico Madrid.
Matthias Ginter joined Borussia Monchengladbach from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. A mainstay at the back for the Foals, the player has amassed 148 appearances for the club while also chipping in with ten goals and five assists along the way.
However, Gladbach are in a precarious position over the future of Ginter at Borussia-Park, with his current contract running out next summer. Such a scenario has alerted several clubs across Europe, with the biggest clubs in La Liga – Barcelona and Real Madrid – also hot on his trails.
Barcelona might have already secured the services of one centre-back in Eric Garcia this summer, but continue to be in the market for another such addition. That is because both Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have question marks surrounding their respective futures at Camp Nou, forcing the Catalan giants to scour the market for potential replacements.
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To that end, Ginter is a viable target for Barcelona, who have reportedly made contact for him as well. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are in a transitional state, like their bitter rivals, with defence one of the departments that need special attention this summer.
Sergio Ramos has already left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain while Raphael Varane is likely to join Manchester United this summer. So, even though David Alaba could be an option at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, Carlo Ancelotti would still need another centre-back, which would explain the interest in Ginter.
Apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid have also sounded out the possibility of signing the 27-year-old amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Jose Maria Gimenez, who has coincidentally been linked with Real Madrid. In addition, the German international is also courting interest from Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
The one thing that is certain in this situation is that Gladbach need to be decisive in their move for Ginter in order to tie him down to a new contract. If not, the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and others will be ready to pounce and prise him away on a cut-price deal this summer.
