Real Madrid interested in 20-year-old Bundesliga forward

Real Madrid have made it part of their policy to recruit the best young talents in world football, and while in recent years that has more often focused on emerging Brazilian talent the signing of Jude Bellingham is evidence that they are in the hunt for Europe’s top starlets too. Now they are looking at a former teammate of his.

According to Relevo, Real Madrid have taken an interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. The 20-year-old Englishman is enjoying a fine season at the Signal Iduna Park. Los Blancos would have seen him up close earlier this season too, when they ended beating the Schwarzgelben 5-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League.

Capable of operating from both flanks, Gittens has been a regular for Dortmund this season, and has 11 goals to his name and four assists in his 34 appearances so far. Beyond his production in front of goal though, it is his ability to go past players and unbalance defences that has attracted Real Madrid’s eye.

Gittens averages more dribbles than any other player in the Bundesliga (4.3 per 90 minutes), with a success rate of over 50%. They also highlight that he is one of the quickest players at the top level.

Arriving from Manchester City in 2020, Gittens is the latest English talent to take their first steps in Germany. However Real Madrid are likely to face competition for his signature. Dortmund may look at him as their next big sale after Bellingham, with Arsenal and Chelsea interested in Gittens. Los Blancos have no plans to move for him, but if becomes available as a market opportunity, they would consider it.

Currently with Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler struggling for minutes behind their starting front three, it seems unlikely that Gittens would be in for much game time. However there has been talk that Vinicius Junior could leave the club for Saudi Arabia in the summer, and Gittens would offer a different profile to either Brahim or Guler.