Real Madrid 'eye' £38m move for highly-rated teenage La Liga defender

Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski is reportedly firmly on Real Madrid's radar, with the Spanish and European champions ready to explore a move for him next year.

The 19-year-old came through the youth system at Valencia, initially turning out for Valencia B, before making his first-team debut for Los Che in 2023, ending last season 12 appearances to his name.

Gasiorowski has featured twice for Valencia this term, playing the full 90 minutes in their opening two La Liga matches of the campaign against Barcelona and Celta Vigo.

According to AS, Real Madrid are firm admirers of the Spain Under-19s international and believe that he has the ideal profile to star for the club in the future.

The report claims that the La Liga giants view him as a 'strategic signing', as the club look to bring in a long-term replacement for Antonio Rudiger, who will be 32 next year.

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Real Madrid 'ready' to explore deal for Valencia's Gasiorowski

Gasiorowski has a €45m (£38m) release clause in his current deal, and Real Madrid are believed to be willing to meet that figure in order to bring him to Bernabeu.

Red Bull Salzburg and Inter Milan are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the defender's progress, but Real Madrid would fancy their chances of winning the race for his signature.

The teenager's contract at Mestalla is due to expire next summer, although the club have the option to extend his deal for a further two years to take him until June 2027.

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Will Real Madrid sign a centre-back in January?

David Alaba remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury, while Jesus Vallejo is not in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, so Real Madrid's options are stretched in the middle of their defence.

Dani Carvajal and Aurelien Tchouameni are capable of providing cover in that area of the field, but there have been claims that Real Madrid will consider making a January defensive addition.

A recent report from Marca, though, said that Los Blancos will resist the temptation to enter the winter market and will instead wait until next summer to bring in a centre-back.

Joan Martinez, 17, has been tipped to have a bright future at Bernabeu, with the youngster making a big impression during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

However, Martinez recently ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee, and he is therefore set for a long recovery process before he can return to the field.

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