Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Bologna’s Gambian forward Musa Barrow with a view of a move in the summer transfer window.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Real Madrid’s search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the next transfer window has taken them to Serie A outfit Bologna, with manager Zinedine Zidane eyeing a summer move for Musa Barrow.
The 22-year-old started out at Hawks FC in his homeland of Gambia before moving to Italy with Atalanta in 2017. Barrow went on to make 52 appearances for La Dea in which he scored eight goals before moving to Bologna in January last year, on a loan deal which will be made permanent at the end of the current season.
During his time with the Rossoblu, Barrow has managed to make a solid impression, scoring 16 goals in 47 games across all competitions. The 22-year-old has been particularly impressive this term, having managed to produce a tally of seven goals and nine assists from 30 games in all competitions.
Primarily a centre-forward, Barrow can also play out on the flanks and has been used quite frequently out on the left-wing by Bologna manager Sinisa Mihajlovic. The Gambian international possesses blistering pace and has demonstrated enough goalscoring acumen to now attract the interest of Real Madrid.
It is no secret that Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements heading into the summer window, as they seek to address the over-reliance on Karim Benzema in the final third. While the Frenchman is going strong, he is 33 years old and will soon need replacing.
Mariano Diaz has not really made much of an impact when given a chance whereas Luka Jovic’s future remains uncertain as he is currently out on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. In addition, throw in Eden Hazard’s frustrating injury problems and the inconsistencies of Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr. and Marco Asensio, it is not hard to understand why a new forward is a necessity for the Merengues.
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To that end, they have been heavily linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, who himself wants a transfer to Real Madrid. Amidst that, Barrow too has emerged as a prospective target and Los Blancos can bring him in even if they sign Haaland as his versatility would provide Zidane with more options in the final third.
Valued at €18 million, the Gambian would not burn a hole in the pockets of the reigning La Liga champions either and can be a cost-effective option that could provide cover across the frontline. It now remains to be seen if Real Madrid do press ahead with their interest in the Bologna forward in the summer transfer window.
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