Real Madrid are hunting for a striker at the Citizens! However, a non-football issue complicates the transfer

Real Madrid need to strengthen the attack, where they were counting on Kylian Mbappé. But after his change of heart, Los Blancos have to look elsewhere, so the Champions League winner is probing the situation with several players. Gabriel Jesus could head to the Santiago Bernabéu from Manchester City.

The Brazilian striker, at 25, is already in his sixth season in the Premier League. He first filled the role of a substitute for Sergio Agüero, but even after his departure he did not become the number one striker and belonged more to the rotation. In the spring, Guardiola began to use him frequently as a right winger.

But at the same time, with the arrival of Haaland and young Argentine Julian Álvarez, Jesus would see his playing time cut. And that’s why there has been loud talk of his departure, something neither the Citizens nor Guardiola are opposed to. Moreover, the Brazilian’s contract expires next year and Manchester City would be happy to cash in something for him rather than let him leave for free.

Therefore, this offers to bring everything together. Real Madrid are in fact looking for a replacement striker for Karim Benzema or a right winger. That is why Gabriel Jesus has been offered to Madrid by the English outfit, as confirmed by one of Spain’s leading journalists Mario Cortegana.

Passport problem

But the transfer is complicated by one major non-football problem. The Spanish La Liga allows only three players with non-European passports on the roster. Brazilians Casemiro and Marcelo, who have been living in Madrid for a long time, have dual citizenship with their Spanish passports and are not a liability for the club. The same is true for Federico Valverde (Uruguay) and Mariano Díaz (Dominican Republic).

At the moment Los Blancos have three spots filled by Vinícius Junior, Rodrygo and Éder Militao, so there would be no vacancy for Gabriel Jesus.

Vinícius, who has been trying to get a Spanish passport for some time, could solve everything. At the beginning of April, MARCA wrote that everything is already in the final stages and the scorer of the winning goal in the Champions League final should get his passport soon.

This would free up a roster spot for a non-EU player. At that point, Real Madrid would be interested in Jesus, as both management and coach Carlo Ancelotti are interested in him.

According to the Transfermarkt website, his value is €50 million, but given his expiring contract, a significant reduction could be expected, perhaps down to €30 million.

Source: MARCA, Mario Cortegana