Real Madrid leading Liverpool, PSG for rising Ligue 1 star

Real Madrid have identified defensive midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as one of their top targets in the summer transfer window, and the interest appears to be mutual.

Although Real Madrid have the world’s best defensive midfielder in Casemiro, who is coming off a sensational season, they are interested in signing Rennes prospect Eduardo Camavinga. The 17-year-old midfielder started the season brightly and only got better, taking Ligue 1 by storm.

Camavinga first jumped on the radar of Madridistas after a big performance against Ligue 1 powerhouse PSG. He continued to make noise as an active defensive midfielder and is on a trajectory to being one of the best center midfielders in the game.

According to a report from MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, Camavinga prefers to sign with Real Madrid over interest from other teams. MARCA reports Liverpool, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund are the other noteworthy clubs with major interest in the defensive midfielder.

This report from MARCA comes after rumors that Real Madrid prefer to sign Camavinga over other potential midfield targets, such as the world-class Paul Pogba and the pre-agreed Donny van de Beek. Additionally, Camavinga, along with Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, reportedly views Real as his dream destination after Rennes.

Camavinga is fully expected to leave his current club in the summer transfer window, whenever that may be, despite the club’s best efforts at one point. Although some say Camavinga will cost Real Madrid or another interested team 80 million euros, it wouldn’t be a shock if Los Blancos secured him for significantly less.

PSG have the money to sign Camavinga and are France’s biggest club, Dortmund is one of the best teams in the world at developing young talent (look no further than Real Madrid transfer targets Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho), and Liverpool are a massive club in the midst of a special run under Jürgen Klopp.

Even so, the allure of Real Madrid remains strong. They are still the biggest club in the world, many players want to work with the legendary Zinedine Zidane, their financial power and stability is unmatched, and they are becoming a hub for young players.

Camavinga can be a world-class player at the Santiago Bernabeu, filling in for Casemiro one day. So it is no surprise to see he reportedly prefers Real, even though Liverpool and the others should still be considered stiff competition.