Chelsea to battle Real Madrid for Florian Wirtz?

Chelsea have reportedly prepared to rival Real Madrid in the race for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.

The German has attracted widespread interest thanks to his performances for Die Werkself this season, and he has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid next summer.

According to El Nacional, the Blues have now entered the battle, having previously plucked attackers Kai Havertz and Timo Werner from the German top flight in the summer of 2020.

The report continues, saying that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is set on bringing the 18-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu as a part of the club's transition, following the arrival of midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and the rumoured signings of young French duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Kylian Mbappe.

Wirtz has featured 14 times for the German outfit across domestic and continental action so far this season, netting seven goals and providing seven assists to take his record to 16 goals and 15 assists in 61 appearances for Die Werkself.

The midfielder has also already earned four caps for the senior German national team, providing two assists in just 76 minutes of pitch time.