Real Madrid is already thinking about the future. Luka Modric, a living legend of the club, is closer to saying goodbye. Although he hasn't confirmed anything, everything points to this being his last season in white.
In Valdebebas, they are already moving pieces to find his heir. There is one name that shines brightly: Florian Wirtz.
The jewel of Leverkusen
Wirtz is 20 years old and plays for Bayer Leverkusen, he is one of the sensations of the Bundesliga. Intelligent, technical, fast, he can play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or even on the wing. His talent hasn't gone unnoticed in Europe and much less at Real Madrid.
Florentino Pérez wants him. He is the perfect profile: young, with potential, and already proven in the elite. But there is a key detail.
A very clear condition
From the white club, they would have told him: “Florian, you will play in the midfield.” That is the condition.
They don't want him as another “Bellingham,” but as a real replacement for Modric. Someone who moves in the engine room, who provides balance, who builds.
Wirtz is used to stepping into the area. To moving freely, without so many defensive responsibilities. But at Madrid, he would have to adapt.
A risky... and expensive bet
His signing won't be cheap. He has a contract until 2027 and a market value exceeding 100 million euros. Leverkusen is in no hurry to sell and that complicates things.
Moreover, his versatility makes him a highly desired jewel. Several clubs are on the lookout. But Real Madrid has the advantage: the project, the prestige, and the possibility of sharing a locker room with stars like Bellingham, Vinicius, or Valverde.
The discarded alternative
Faced with this firm bet on Wirtz, there is another decision that has already been made in the white offices: Bruno Fernandes is discarded.
The Portuguese, a star of Manchester United, is 30 years old. He doesn't fit the club's recruitment policy, focused on young talent with projection. And his profile is not what Ancelotti is looking for in the future of the midfield.
Are Wirtz and Bellingham the new duo?
If the signing is completed, Madrid could form a formidable pair in the midfield: Wirtz and Bellingham. Technique, youth, power, and arrival.
To that are added Valverde and Tchouaméni, providing balance and muscle, a midfield with a present and, above all, a lot of future. The condition is clear. Now, the ball is in Wirtz's court, will he accept the challenge?