Real Madrid face growing competition from Barcelona and Inter for Bundesliga defensive target | OneFootball

Real Madrid are not alone in their interest in Finn Jeltsch, with Barcelona and Inter Milan stepping up their pursuit of the highly rated Stuttgart centre-back.

According to Sky Germany, scouts representing Barça and Inter attended Stuttgart’s recent Champions League meeting with Viking Stavanger specifically to watch the 20-year-old.

Several major Premier League clubs are also said to be monitoring the youngster’s development ahead of a potential pursuit.

Madrid have been tracking Jeltsch

Los Blancos’ interest emerged last week, with the club adding Jeltsch to their list of young defensive talents being monitored for future transfer windows.

There are no indications that Madrid are going to make an offer. Jeltsch is under contract with Stuttgart until 2030, putting the Bundesliga club in an extremely strong negotiating position.

Jeltsch recently received his first call-up to the German senior squad. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

The defender has previously been valued at around €35 million, although growing interest from Europe’s elite could inevitably increase the price tag.

Jeltsch only joined Stuttgart from Nuremberg for €9.5 million in January 2025, but has quickly established himself as an important first-team player.

He has started all six competitive matches this season and recently earned his first senior Germany call-up under Jurgen Klopp.

Why Madrid are watching another central defender

Another central defender is not an immediate necessity for Mourinho.

Madrid already have Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio available in the position.

However, Los Blancos have to look at the long-term picture. Rudiger is in the final year of his contract, while Militao’s injury history remains complicated.

Both Konate and Asencio have also proven to be quite injury-prone, with both currently set for spells on the sidelines.

Madrid need to start planning for life after Antonio Rudiger. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

At 20, Jeltsch fits the profile Madrid have increasingly targeted: young enough to develop further but already accumulating meaningful senior experience.

Meanwhile, Barcelona entering the picture naturally makes the situation more interesting from Madrid’s perspective.

The Catalan club had a slight edge over Madrid in terms of transfers in the most recent transfer window.

Los Blancos would want to wrestle one back by beating Barça to his signing, should they decide to proceed with him.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Jeltsch and whether he is seen wearing a Madrid jersey in the near future.