Real Madrid Transfer News and Rumors: Team Prepare Sensational $73 Million Jose Gimenez Bid
Real Madrid are on the lookout for a new marquee central defensive signing and it seems they have found their man in Jose Gimenez, who plays for their arch rivals Atletico Madrid. The Madrid based club have been struggling with their central defence ever since the decline of Portuguese defender Pepe and the injury woes of club captain Sergio Ramos haven't helped matters either. According to Spanish publication Marca, the defender has a release clause of $73 million and Real Madrid are prepared to meet the requirement in their quest to bring him to the Santiago Bernabau this summer.
The Uruguayan defender joined Atletico Madrid in 2013 and over the past two seasons, he has emerged as an integral part of one of the meanest defensive units in Europe. Atletico have only conceded 14 goals in 30 games in the Spanish La Liga as opposed to Real Madrid's 28 and a large part of the credit for that goes to the central defensive partnership of Gimenez and Diego Godin. In his very first season with Atletico Madrid, he helped the club win the Spanish league title and finish as the finalist of the UEFA Champions League.
The Los Blancos think that Gimenez, who is only 21 year old, could strike up a long term defensive partnership with 22 year old Frenchman Raphael Varane and are prepared to break the bank for his services. Considering his age and his consistent performances over two seasons, the transfer fee could prove to be a bargain in the long run for Real. In the same report, Marca has also stated that Paris St. Germain'S Braizilian defender Marquinhos is also a target for Real Madrid as they look to bolster their defence this summer, however it might well come down to either him or Gimenez. Atletico Madrid might not want to let him go but if the release clause is triggered then there is nothing they can do since the final decision to move to Real Madrid will then rest with the player. Real Madrid take on arch rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico on Saturday evening at the Camp Nou.
