Real Madrid always have a number of players other top clubs in Europe desire, and there are three, in particular, who seem to stand out to PSG.
Over the past several months, transfer rumors have linked a couple of Real Madrid players to PSG. First, they were reportedly interested in targeting Vinicius Junior as part of a package for Real’s top target, Kylian Mbappé. Then, they had interest in Achraf Hakimi, though that no longer seems to be the case.
Now, according to a report from El Confidencial, via PSGTalk.com, the Ligue 1 powerhouse has interest in a trio of Real Madrid stars: center back Raphaël Varane, center midfielder Fede Valverde, and forward Rodrygo Goes.
None of those three players are realistic targets for PSG, because they are off-limits from Real’s perspective.
Varane is currently in talks for an extension, which is a huge priority for Los Merengues. He is arguably the best center back in the world and certainly among the most accomplished. In the prime of his career, Varane’s importance will be even higher in two years when he replaces a retiring Sergio Ramos as captain. He is unsellable.
The same “unsellable” label can be applied to Fede Valverde, who has a hands-off release clause worth 750 million euros. Premier League clubs have been linked to the 2019-2020 breakout star, but his importance to Los Blancos is well-established and will only continue to grow. He isn’t going anywhere, and PSG can’t break the bank for him. It wouldn’t even make sense for PSG to do so.
Rodrygo is the only one of these three players who could conceivably go anywhere, but it’s also extremely difficult to see Real Madrid being open to selling him at any price. The Brazilian teenager joined Los Blancos for 50 million euros last summer and scored the second-fastest debut goal in club history before netting a perfect hat-trick in the Champions League.
A mature, technically prolific, and intelligent player, Rodrygo can be one of the best players in the world one day. His value to Real is worth far more than what the market would dictate, especially now. PSG have great taste in Rodrygo, Fede, and Varane, but Real won’t be selling. They know how great these players are.
That said, Real also know how great Mbappé is and how much he could transform their club. PSG will play hardball, and they could snag one of these men in a deal. If so, Rodrygo (or Vinicius, circling back to the previous rumor), could be an achievable prize.