La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid are reportedly interested in securing the services of 18-year-old American goalkeeping prodigy Gabriel Slonina.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Gabriel Slonina is the subject of interest from Real Madrid over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Merengues are readying a bid to land the 18-year-old goalkeeping prodigy, with Chicago Fire waiting for the opening offer.
Gabriel Slonina is one of the most promising young prospects in the USA, with the prodigious shot-stopper going from strength to strength since joining Chicago Fire as a 12-year-old in 2016. The teenage wonderkid made his first-team debut for the Major League Soccer club in August 2021, becoming the youngest starting goalkeeper in league history at 17 years, 81 days.
Slonina has since come leaps and bounds, establishing himself as a regular for Chicago Fire. The 18-year-old has been a mainstay between the sticks for the MLS clubs this season, turning out 13 times while keeping five clean sheets. The American goalkeeping prodigy’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, setting their sights on him.
The interest from Real Madrid stems from the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian goalkeeper is unsettled at the Santiago Bernabeu as he has no chance of usurping the indomitable Thibaut Courtois as the first-choice goalkeeper for Los Blancos.
Exclusive: Real Madrid are preparing opening bid for talented goalkepeer Gabriel Slonina, born in 2004. ⭐️?? #RealMadrid
Chicago Fire are waiting for the first proposal to arrive soon for USMNT goalkeeper. #MLS pic.twitter.com/gvEwOlxpaN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2022
Lunin is thus keen on leaving Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, with a permanent exit on the cards. The 23-year-old has emerged on the radars of several foreign clubs, with West Ham United among his prospective suitors. And Lunin’s departure will prompt Real Madrid to invest in a young goalkeeper.
Slonina has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid, with his age profile making him an ideal signing for the Merengues. With Slonina just 18 years old, Real Madrid, who are readying the opening bid for him, could bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu as a long-term successor for Thibaut Courtois, who is on the wrong side of 30.
The teenage goalkeeping prodigy is also on the radar of Chelsea, whose efforts to sign him had reduced in the wake of the sanctions imposed on former owner Roman Abramovich. But with Real Madrid preparing the opening offer, a summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu could be on the cards for the American prospect.
