€100 million defender tipped for Real Madrid move

Real Madrid have been relatively quiet when it comes to the transfer market in recent years. They did make a big money move for Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer and brought in Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer as well, but on the other hand, we saw players like Casemiro, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Isco head for the Santiago Bernabeu exit door.

Real Madrid are being linked with some of the most exciting young prospects in football recently though and are already on the verge of agreeing a deal for one of them in Endrick. It is believed that everything is verbally agreed already and the official announcement will be made soon as well.

Another highly-rated player who is being linked with Real Madrid, especially after his performances at the World Cup, is Josko Gvardiol.

It is believed that RB Leipzig would look for a transfer fee around €100 million to part ways with Gvardiol, which would make him the most expensive defender in football history.

Gvardiol tipped to join Real Madrid by his former coach

As reported by MARCA, Shakhtar Donetsk coach, Igor Jovicevic, who has coached Gvardiol in the past, said:

"“He could play for any top club. PSG, Barcelona, if it were up to me, I would [want him] go to Real Madrid.“I don’t want to hear about anything else. What’s more, I’m surprised that Real Madrid didn’t sign him two or three years ago, although I also understand that they waited for him to mature a bit more.”"

Gvardiol is without doubt one of the best young defenders in the world, if not the very best. He has been a standout performer for both club and country, and Real Madrid saw a chance to see him in action up close as well, as they faced off against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. The Croatian managed to get himself on the scoresheet in the game away in Germany.

Gvardiol has not made a secret of his admiration for Real Madrid either. Thus, it does feel like a transfer to Santiago Bernabeu could be on in the future, if Los Blancos actually pushed to make it happen.