Real Madrid join the chase for Quansah

Real Madrid are showing an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's 23-year-old England defender Jarell Quansah, according to German newspaper Bild, adding the Spanish giants to a list of elite suitors that already features two Premier League clubs.

Quansah, who moved to Leverkusen from Liverpool in 2025, was the subject of a bid from Arsenal in the summer, while Chelsea also made an enquiry for the centre-back. Leverkusen saw off that interest, but Real Madrid's emergence as an admirer suggests the England defender's stock continues to rise in Germany.

Barcelona and Inter track Stuttgart's Jeltsch

Barcelona and Inter Milan are monitoring Stuttgart's 20-year-old German defender Finn Jeltsch, according to Sky Sports Germany, with a number of Premier League clubs also keen on the young centre-back.

Jeltsch's list of admirers spanning LaLiga, Serie A and the Premier League marks him out as one of the most in-demand young defenders in Europe, and Stuttgart could face a fight to keep hold of him should that interest harden into concrete bids.

Gvardiol snub left Barcelona empty-handed

Barcelona's pursuit of Manchester City's Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol went no further than an enquiry last season, according to Mundo Deportivo, with it quickly becoming clear that the 24-year-old had no desire to leave the Etihad Stadium.

With Real Madrid circling for Quansah, Barcelona and Inter watching Jeltsch and City having retained Gvardiol, Europe's biggest clubs are clearly still in the market for top-class defensive reinforcements.