Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian this summer.
Los Blancos will move for a new centre-back during this summer's transfer window, and Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen is believed to be high on their wishlist when it comes to defensive additions at the end of the campaign.
However, according to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are also huge admirers of Vivian, with the club set to watch him closely when Athletic head to Bernabeu in La Liga on Sunday night.
The report claims that scouts from the Spanish champions have identified Vivian as the ideal addition, as he would be significantly cheaper than Arsenal's William Saliba, who continues to be linked with a switch to Bernabeu.
Vivian came through the youth system at Athletic, and he has been in the Basque club's first team since 2021, making 141 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and registering two assists in the process.
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Real Madrid 'keen on Athletic defender Vivian'
This season, Vivian has made 38 appearances for the Lions, scoring three goals in the process, while he has been capped on eight occasions by Spain, including two appearances at Euro 2024.
Vivian has a contract at Athletic until June 2032, but there have been suggestions that he could be available for as little as €40m (£34m), which would represent a bargain considering his age and experience.
The defender is proven in Spain's top flight, making 111 appearances in the competition, while he has also featured 10 times for Athletic in the Europa League, impressing during their run to this season's semi-finals.
Vivian is expected to be in the Athletic XI that starts at Bernabeu on Sunday evening, and a strong performance could lead to Real Madrid making a move for him during this summer's transfer window.
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What is Real Madrid's centre-back situation?
Antonio Rudiger has been suffering with muscular fatigue in recent months, but he has not been able to have a rest due to Real Madrid's centre-back issues, with Eder Militao out since November with another serious knee injury.
David Alaba's level has dropped since his return from a severe knee injury of his own, so a new centre-back is an absolute necessity this summer, even taking into account the breakthrough of Raul Asencio.
Vivian certainly fits the brief in terms of what Los Blancos are looking for, and his affordable price tag will make him even more attractive to a Los Blancos side that could soon have a new manager, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave his role in the coming weeks.
Matt Law
