La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly willing to cough up €70 million to sign Stanislav Lobotka, a target for Liverpool.
According to a report by Media Foot, Real Madrid will happily shell out €70 million to secure the services of Stanislav Lobotka. The Slovakian midfielder is also a target for Liverpool and might leave Napoli in the summer transfer window.
Stanislav Lobotka has seen his stock rise considerably since joining Napoli from Celta Vigo nearly three years ago. The 28-year-old always went under the radar in La Liga but has gone from strength to strength in Italy. And he is now one of the best midfielders in Serie A.
The Slovak has played a pivotal role in Napoli’s ascent in the last 18 months, including rising to the top of the Serie A table this season. Lobotka has played every game for the Partenopei this term, chipping in with one goal and one assist. And the player’s progress has captured the attention of Real Madrid and Liverpool.
At Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is a keen admirer of the Slovakian midfielder. And the Italian tactician has driven Real Madrid’s chase for Lobotka in the last few weeks. The interest in the player is understandable, even though he is primarily a holding midfielder. That is because he is also an adept box-to-box midfielder.
So Lobotka could be a successor to Luka Modric while also being an alternative for Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid. And the reigning La Liga champions are reportedly the front-runners to sign him. They are now ready to fork out €70 million to sign the 28-year-old. But Real Madrid will need to fend off competition from Liverpool to land Lobotka.
Like Los Blancos, Liverpool will need to delve into the market for a midfield reinforcement next year. With Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to leave as free agents, the need to sign a midfielder is high. And Lobotka is a viable target for the Merseyside outfit.
Real Madrid’s willingness to pay €70 million might leave Liverpool trailing in the race to sign Lobotka. But Napoli will look to tie the Slovakian international to a new long-term contract. So it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid or Liverpool can secure his services next year.
