Real Madrid have reportedly turned their attention towards Giorgio Chiellini, who is currently a free agent and could arrive for nothing.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Real Madrid’s search for a potential replacement for Raphael Varane has seen them set their sights on a UEFA Euro 2020 winner. Giorgio Chiellini is the subject of interest from the Spanish giants, who wish to snap up the veteran Italian defender in the summer transfer window.
Chiellini is one of the modern-day greats in the game, having been an extraordinary defender over the past decade and a half or so. The cultured Italian centre-back joined Juventus from Fiorentina in the summer of 2005 and has since been nothing short of phenomenal for club and country.
For Juventus, the 36-year-old has gone on to amass 535 appearances while also chipping in with 36 goals and 24 assists. Most recently, Chiellini played a key role for Italy in their UEFA Euro 2020 triumph, which is his first major international trophy. However, the player is now a free agent after the expiration of his Juventus contract, which has alerted Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid are undergoing a major transition following the departure of Zinedine Zidane and the subsequent appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager. Just about every department in the first-team squad is set to be addressed, with defence forced into major changes due to the exit of Sergio Ramos, who has joined Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Raphael Varane’s uncertain future.
Varane is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, and his departure would certainly force Real Madrid to sign at least one centre-back unless Jesus Vallejo is integrated back in the first-team. If not, Ancelotti will have Eder Militao, Nacho and the versatile David Alaba as the only viable central defensive options at his disposal, which is why Real Madrid must sign a centre-back.
To that end, Real Madrid have been linked with Caglar Soyuncu, Wesley Fofana and Jules Kounde, among others, with Chiellini now popping up on their radar. While Chiellini might not be a spring chicken anymore, his mere presence in the dressing room can galvanize a team, as was best visible at UEFA Euro 2020.
The report suggests that Real Madrid will only offer Chiellini a one-year contract, with his wages unlikely to pose a problem. What now remains to be seen is if Juventus do anything to renew terms with the 36-year-old or if a new phase of his career beckons the veteran Italian defender.