Real Madrid have Arsenal‘s Riccardo Calafiori and Manchester City‘s Joško Gvardiol in their shortlist for this summer.
On May 18th, Sport Witness covered claims from Spain of Real Madrid’s surprise when offered the Manchester City star.
The Arsenal defender is also in their list mainly because of the incoming manager, José Mourinho. He will return to the club after president Florentino Pérez won the re-election.
Focus on Arsenal and Manchester City players
José Mourinho is on the front page of today’s AS, with ‘Mourinho’s list’ written in bold and his transfer targets.
The manager wants a left-back who can also operate as a centre-back, and both Riccardo Calafiori and Joško Gvardiol are his favourites.
Within the report, the focus is on the Arsenal and Manchester City defenders. The former Chelsea boss appreciates both the 24-year-old Italy international and the Manchester City man’s ability to play in multiple positions.
Mourinho is looking for a system capable of changing from a two-man to three-man back line and believes Calafiori and the former RB Leipzig man are best suited for his overall needs.
Real Madrid are also keen after the 24-year-old Croatia international’s agent offered his client to the club. Manchester City aren’t giving up and have made a renewal offer. Another candidate is Calafiori, who mainly played as a left-back for the Gunners this season.
The incoming Real Madrid manager knows the Italian well from their time at AS Roma. He played only nine matches under Mourinho, but the latter appreciates the fullback.
Real Madrid are ‘obliged to negotiate’ to please their coach, meaning efforts will be made to sign Calafiori or Gvardiol.
AS claim signing the Arsenal player is ‘more feasible’ than the Croatian. That’s probably due to their price tag, without any mention of figures.
Contracts, values and agent info
Riccardo Calafiori and Joško Gvardiol have their contracts at Arsenal and Manchester City until 2029 and 2028 respectively.
Transfermarkt now value the Gunners man at €55m and the Croatian at €70m.
World Soccer Agency manage the Italian while agent Marjan Sisic takes care of Gvardiol’s interests.