RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol has prioritised a move to Real Madrid next summer, according to Calciomercato.it.

The Italian website claims that the Croatian’s international teammate, Luka Modric, is playing a key role in talks, with the centre-back seeing the Bernabeu as his number one option.

However, Manchester United and Liverpool are also in the frame. The two Premier League clubs are said to be the likeliest to meet Leipzig’s €100m (£89m) to €110m (£98m) valuation of Gvardiol.

Tottenham are also interested but Calciomercato report that the London side are unlikely to pay “crazy money” for the 21-year-old. Chelsea, in contrast, have been willing to splash the cash but, despite being heavily linked with Gvardiol, it is believed they have cooled their pursuit of the centre-half after recruiting Benoit Badiashile.

At this stage then, it looks like a three-team battle for the Croatian’s signature, with Real the red-hot favourites to snap him up currently.