European champions Real Madrid have identified a new central midfielder as a key priority and have drawn up a shopping list featuring three of the Premier League's standout stars, according to reports from Spain.
Kroos and Modric Legacy Spurs Search for New Talent
The Spanish giants, managed by Xabi Alonso, boast a formidable midfield roster including Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. However, the club is reportedly still feeling the departure of legendary figures Toni Kroos and Luka Modric and is actively seeking a fresh addition to the engine room.
Spanish publication AS reports that the search has led scouts to England, with three established Premier League players under serious consideration. The targets are Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton, Chelsea's World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez, and Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.
Premier League Trio Come With Hefty Price Tags
Securing any of these players would require a monumental financial outlay. Wharton, 21, is expected to leave Selhurst Park in the near future, with several Premier League giants also circling. Having signed a contract until 2029 when he joined from Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace are in a strong position to command a significant fee.
The challenge would be even greater for Fernandez and Mac Allister. Chelsea are understood to be uninterested in selling Fernandez and it would take a "monstrous bid" to make them reconsider, especially after they paid £106.8 million for the Argentine in 2023. Liverpool would be equally reluctant to lose a key component of their midfield.
Dutch Teenager Emerges as Top Target
Intriguingly, the report suggests the primary name on Real Madrid's list is not a Premier League star, but a rising talent from the Netherlands. AZ Alkmaar's 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit is now considered the top target.
Despite being the least experienced player linked, Smit has rapidly built a glowing reputation. He made his AZ debut in 2024 and shone in the Eredivisie and European competitions, before winning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2025 European Under-19 Championship, which the Netherlands won.
AS states that AZ value Smit at around £52 million, a figure Real Madrid believe will only increase, potentially prompting a move as early as this month. Another name mentioned on the wider list is PSG and Portugal's Vitinha, though the French champions are unlikely to want to sell.
The pursuit underscores Real Madrid's long-term strategy of blending established global stars with the world's most promising young talents, as they build their midfield for the next generation.
