Real Madrid identify 'number one' target for 2025 in Bellingham-style transfer

Suraj Radia

12 May 2024 14:30 BST
3 min read

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Real Madrid may be gearing up for the imminent arrival of Kylian Mbappe but reports in Spain have claimed that the ‘number one’ target for next summer has already been identified.

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The La Liga winners will likely confirm the signing of Mbappe after the Champions League versus Dortmund final next month, with the Frenchman announcing this week that he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Mbappe will arrive alongside Endrick, who will join Real when he turns 18 in July after agreeing to join the Spanish side two years ago from Palmeiras for €60m.

With Real looking to continue their transition to a new, younger era, the club are planning another ‘Jude Bellingham’ type transfer for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.

MARCA claim that Wirtz is the goal for the 2025/26 season and that the first steps towards his signing have already been taken, with the club aware the deal will be ‘tough and expensive’.

There is also expected to be competion for Wirtz from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City but Real are confident that, just like Bellingham, they can put in the work to convince Wirtz to join them over their rivals.

© IMAGO - Florian Wirtz has had a tremendous season with Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso.

Real planning for youthful vision built around Mbappe, Endrick and Wirtz

Wirtz has been a standout performer during Leverkusen’s record-breaking season this year in which they have yet to lose in any competition and have won the Bundesliga for the first time.

The 21-year-old has bounced back from serious injury to grab 11 goals and 11 assists in the league this season and he has insisted he will not consider leaving Leverkusen before the last couple of years of his contract, which is due to expire in 2027.

STATS

Florian Wirtz

AM, F (C)

Bayer 04

Florian Wirtz

AM, F (C)

Bayer 04

31

Games
11

Goals
11

Assists

Real have been pursuing Wirtz for a long time and, although their relationship with Leverkusen is not as strong as the one with Dortmund, Los Blancos feel they can conduct a deal similar to how Bellingham’s long-term pursuit was concluded.

READ MORE: Latest Real Madrid transfer news

Along with Endrick, Mbappe and Wirtz, Lille defender Leny Yoro and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies are also believed to be part of Real’s vision, while talks to sign River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono have already begun.

There is also the possibility of Real pursuing Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti whenever the Italian chooses to leave his role, although that scenario has yet to be planned out by the club.