Real Madrid signed Denzel Dumfires and Ibrahima Konate on bargain deals to bring proven, world class players from top European clubs to Jose Mourinho's back line when they sorely needed upgrades, but Mourinho and Madrid are not at all done with adding talent to a defense that was roasted at the top Champions League level again last season.
Los Blancos are looking to other massive clubs in title contention for their new stars. Mourinho wants to kill two birds with one stone, signing a player who can be world class at both left back and center back, and the Real Madrid search has zeroed in on two players: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal and Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City.
It has been unclear who has the edge between these two hybrid defenders from Premier League title contenders, but, now, Gvardiol is moving more into the lead and seems to be more open to leaving a more uncertain Man City side, fresh off losing Pep Guardiola - and the Premier League title to Arsenal.
Arsenal are fine with selling Calafiori
But Riccardo Calafiori is still a compelling option. According to a report from ESPN's Rodra, via the Madrid Zone, Arsenal are actually surprisingly open to selling Calafiori to Real Madrid this summer transfer window and are willing to listen to offers from Florentino Perez and Co.
While that would seem to be great news since another top option is open to Real Madrid, Madridistas do not seem to be jumping for joy. Many of them want to sign Josko Gvardiol instead, given the Croatian international has such a strong pedigree on the international stage, as well as having actually won the Champions League and treble with Manchester City.
There is something else to be worried about, too. Although Calafiori is amazing on the ball and the rare marketable Italian player for Real Madrid to add to their history's rather dry collection, the fact that Arsenal are open to selling the player after winning the Premier League title is a bit of a red flag.
Calafiori is a good player, but he is not great and his reputation exceeds what he has done at the elite level for Arsenal; he was better for a smaller club in Bologna. That usually does not translate well to Real Madrid. Plus, Calafiori has huge injury questions, and Real Madrid cannot afford more injury prone players. Arsenal benched Calafiori for Piero Hincapie by the end of the year; Calafiori is worth targeted but not the best pick for Real Madrid.
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