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Real Madrid will attempt to persuade Ferland Mendy to leave the club this summer as they eye reinforcements at left-back, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.
Los Blancos crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after losing 5-1 on aggregate to Manchester City in the semifinals. The season is effectively over for the Spanish giants as Barcelona have already clinched the La Liga title.
Hence, Real Madrid are looking ahead to next season, with planning for the summer transfer window underway. Carlo Ancelotti's side are said to be in the driving seat to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
The England international is expected to cost the Madrid outfit a significant amount of money, with Dortmund holding out for €150 million. Los Blancos are, nevertheless, determined to strengthen other areas of the pitch.
Real Madrid have set their eyes on bringing in a backup option for Karim Benzema. RCD Espanyol frontman Joselu has thus emerged as a target for the club ahead of the summer.
The 14-time European champions have also identified left-back as an area that needs strengthening. They are reportedly keen to sign another player in the position despite having already agreed to re-sign Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano for €5 million.
However, Los Blancos will need to offload Mendy, 27, before signing another left-back. According to the aforementioned source, Ancelotti's side will try to convince the defender to leave this summer.
It remains to be seen if the La Liga giants will receive a suitable offer for the Frenchman. Mendy's injury record which has seen him miss 23 games across competitions this season is a concern.
Arsenal have, nevertheless, been linked with a move for Mendy, who is contracted to Real Madrid until 2025. The Gunners could sign the left-back for €20 million, with Kieran Tierney potentially on his way out.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit signed Mendy from Olympique Lyon for €48 million in 2019. The defender has made 131 appearances across competitions for the club, bagging five goals and 10 assists. He has helped the team win eight trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles.
Real Madrid duo linked with surprise Premier League club
Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos are two other players who could leave Real Madrid this summer. The Spaniards' contracts with Los Blancos expire at the end of the season.
According to reports, Asensio and Ceballos are the subject of interest from Premier League club Aston Villa. The Villans are prepared to back Unai Emery in the transfer window as the club sit seventh in the Premier League and edge closer to securing European football.
Ceballos, 26, has already received a significant offer from the Birmingham-based club. Asensio, 27, meanwhile, is not too keen on the move and prefers to extend his contract with Carlo Ancelotti's side.
There have been suggestions that the Spanish giants have offered both players contract extensions. However, Asensio and Ceballos rejected the proposals as they deemed them to be insufficient, according to Spanish outlets El Nacional and Fichajes.
