Weigl: Real Madrid eyeing 2018 deal for Borussia Dortmund star
Real are preparing to do battle with Barcelona and Manchester City for the 21-year-old Germany midfielder, dubbed the 'new BusquetsChina vs Wales: China Cup
The agents of Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl have offered the midfielder to Real Madrid, with the youngster said to be open to a future at Los Blancos.
Madrid have been keeping tabs on Weigl for some time, and view the 21-year-old German as one of the most promising holding midfield players in Europe.
Barcelona, Man City also keen on Weigl
But Real are aware they'll face stiff competition for his signature, with Barcelona and Man City also tracking a starlet drawing comparisons with Sergio Busquets.
Barça and City are expected to go after Weigl in the summer - moves that may be complicated by the fact that he recently extended his Dortmund deal until 2021.
Madrid minded to hold off until 2018
Real, on the other hand, would be willing to wait until summer 2018 to secure the Germany cap, as they are set to add Marcos Llorente (due to return from a successful season-long loan at Alavés) to Casemiro at the end of the campaign.
Such a plan would fit with that held by Weigl, who told Diario AS in December that he is currently happy at Dortmund and is understood to want to remain at Signal Iduna Park next term to continue his development.
Real rapport with Dortmund may hand them advantage
On top of that, Real chief Florentino Pérez's good relationship with BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is likely to ensure the club are first in the queue to negotiate - a factor also the case with Weigl's club-mate, striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.