Real Madrid target €50m Austrian prodigy wanted by Liverpool and Man City | OneFootball

Real Madrid decided against any late moves during the summer transfer window, but it means they have the funds available to target players in January. A new defensive midfielder could be on the agenda, and while Martin Zubimendi has been identified as a more established option, the club would decide to pursue a younger star.

Real Madrid’s sporting department is among the best in the world for keeping on top of the market. It has allowed them to regularly win the signature of players wanted by a number of clubs, and in 2027, this could also be the case with Paul Wanner.

Since leaving Bayern Munich for PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2025, Wanner has taken his game to another level. His performances in the Netherlands have attracted plenty of attention, and according to Sportowy (via CaughtOffside), Real Madrid are one of the clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

Real Madrid will face intense competition for Wanner’s signature

At 20, Wanner already has outstanding technical attributes, and this is one of the reasons why he has caught Real Madrid’s attention. He started his career as an attacking midfielder, but during his time at PSV, he has developed into a pivot – and this makes him an option to strengthen Mourinho’s squad at the Bernabeu. However, there is also interest being shown from Premier League pair Liverpool and Manchester City, which would complicate matters for those within Valdebebas.

Wanner’s technical ability makes him a good fit for the void in Real Madrid’s midfield: a controller. He has the capability to follow in the footsteps of Toni Kroos, although a move to the Bernabeu may be slightly too soon at this stage of his career, although it could come around sooner if he kicks on further for PSV over the duration of the 2026-27 season.