Real Madrid transfer news: Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos subject of enquiry from Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane keen to sign new centre-back next summer as veteran heads for exit despite Real's current transfer ban
REAL MADRID have made an enquiry for Borussia Dortmund star Sokratis Papastathopoulos, according to reports.
Zinedine Zidane is keen to sign a new centre-back next summer as veteran Pepe enters the final six months of his contract.
The Portuguese looks likely to leave the Santiago Bernabeu and is free to negotiate terms with a new club in January.
Keep up to date with ALL the Real Madrid news, gossip and transfers on our club page
But Real are wasting no time in singling out a replacement, with Dortmund’s Greek ace Papastathopoulos apparently at the top of Zidane’s list.
German newspaper Bild via Spanish outlet claims Real have already made an enquiry to sign the 28-year-old after scouting him during Dortmund’s 2-1 Bundesliga defeat to Eintracht in November.
Papastathopoulos also impressed Los Blancos chiefs as his side fought back for a 2-2 in the thrilling Champions League draw at the Bernabeu last week.
The experience Greece international enjoyed spells at Genoa and Werder Bremen before moving to Dortmund in 2013.
But Papastathopoulos was less successful during a one-year stay at AC Milan, making just five appearances before being shipped out of the San Siro.
However, he has since established himself as one of Europe’s top defenders during his time under Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, and could now be set for the greatest stage of all – barring Real’s current transfer embargo which they are currently trying to rescind through appeal.