Real Madrid will reportedly prefer signing Ryan Gravenberch instead of Franck Kessie and Paul Pogba in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid’s priorities for the summer transfer window are being sorted. As far as the midfield unit is concerned, the Spanish giants prefer signing Ryan Gravenberch, valued at around €33 million, instead of landing Franck Kessie or Paul Pogba.
Ryan Gravenberch is widely regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe, having gone from strength to strength since making his first-team breakthrough for Ajax a couple of years ago. Despite being only 19 years old, the Dutch whizkid has become Ajax’s midfield general while also becoming a regular for his national side.
Gravenberch has featured in all but one game for Ajax this season, making 27 appearances across all competitions while chipping in with one goal and four assists in the process. The prodigy’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with several big clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid, setting their sights on him.
Real Madrid will need to lay down a succession plan for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos sooner or later. The two ageing stalwarts are approaching the end of their storied careers and could start getting phased out in due course.
While young prospects Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga are a growing part of the first-team squad, the uncertainties surrounding Dani Ceballos and Isco means Real Madrid will have to sign a central midfielder in the summer. To that end, Gravenberch has recently emerged as a viable target for Los Blancos.
The Spanish giants are already in contact with the 19-year-old through his agent Mino Raiola, and talks between the two parties are progressing smoothly. Gravenberch might not cost a bomb either, with his market value set at around €33 million, a sum that Real Madrid could even exceed with a future bid.
It has now emerged that Real Madrid would prefer signing Gravenberch instead of other reported targets like Paul Pogba and Franck Kessie. Recent reports had already claimed that Real Madrid’s interest in Pogba had cooled, even though the Manchester United midfielder is keen on joining them. With Gravenberch their priority target, Real Madrid will hope to progress talks smoothly before eventually securing his services in the summer.
