Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Goncalo Guedes, with Florentino Perez shortlisting the PSG loanee and current Valencia star to replace Gareth Bale.
According to Spanish publication Diario Gol, Real Madrid are interested in Goncalo Guedes. Club president Florentino Perez has reportedly shortlisted the Portuguese starlet, who is currently on loan at Valencia, as a replacement for Gareth Bale, who is being linked with a move away from the Bernabeu.
Goncalo Guedes has had a mixed year or so. The youngster reportedly snubbed Manchester United en route to signing for Paris Saint-Germain in January. And while the player jetted off to a great start in Paris, the subsequent arrival of Neymar in the summer seemed to have made matters a bit complex as far as regular game time is concerned.
5 – Only Andres Guardado (6) has delivered more assists than Gonçalo Guedes (5) in La Liga this season. Rebirth. pic.twitter.com/0rjy6VFBk3
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 21, 2017
Add to that the inability of the club to offload any of the other wingers, Goncalo Guedes was sent out on loan to Valencia in order to develop – a chance he seems to have taken with aplomb. 3 goals and 5 assists in just 7 La Liga appearances thus far, he has been one of the pillars behind Valencia’s dominant form.
His performances, above all, have been compelling, with ominous signs of beckoning super-stardom. Graham Hunter seemed so impressed by the player’s performances that he has even gone so far as to say that he sees Guedes, who did not make the top 10 in the Golden Boy list, as a future Ballon D’or contender.
Goncalo Guedes. I’m done. He is absolutely amazing. The best no.7 Valencia has had since Guaje Villa.
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) October 21, 2017
And if you do take time out to look at his performances so far for Valencia, the aforementioned statement would not seem like an exaggeration of his talent and potential. Still it is early times for the 20-year-old. But, his talent has received another validation in the form of Florentino Perez’s admiration.
The Real Madrid president has seen the echoes of Gareth Bale’s clouded future grow louder by the day and seems to be ready to put in motion a plan to replace the player quickly, if the Welshman does end up moving. And, while he does have other targets in mind, he looks to have settled on Goncalo Guedes according to the latest reports.
Indeed, the move could make sense for Real Madrid. Perez has a healthy relationship with the owner of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Also, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani heading their attack, Guedes is unlikely to find a more permanent spot in the playing eleven.
You don’t have to go a long way back to see Guedes being hailed as the next Cristiano Ronaldo by the media while being linked ferociously to Manchester United. The move to PSG may have rested the laurels a bit. But, the Valencia stint looks like the pedestal Guedes needed for the comparisons to return.
PSG Loanee Goncalo Guedes’ father: “My son wants to follow the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, his idol.” pic.twitter.com/HlDMLGUgJO
— RMadrid Edition (@RMadridEdition) October 24, 2017
The benchmark may be set high. But, if Guedes does continue performing like he is, it isn’t all too unrealistic. Perhaps, he could indeed become the next Portuguese superstar – something Real Madrid would be keeping a keen eye on.
