Real Madrid lining up shock FREE transfer for World Cup winner: report

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Real Madrid could be on the cusp of landing another bargain deal this summer

Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid CF, looks on during the award ceremony following the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF. Real Madrid CF won 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid are in the middle of assembling a superstar squad ahead of the 2024/25 season - and a World Cup winner is now being lined up at the Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe, Endrick and Joselu have all arrived at Real Madrid so far on permament transfers, adding to the likes of Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr and Aurelien Tchouameni. 

But the European champions aren't content with stopping there - more signings are expected this summer, with a bargain deal possible in the transfer window. 

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According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Real Madrid are looking to sign Mats Hummels for free this summer, after losing out on the signing of Leny Yoro. 

Hummels left Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2024/25 season following the conclusion of his contract, despite putting in plenty of excellent performances on the way to the Champions League final.

Reports suggested that the German World Cup winner would end up moving to Serie A side Bologna this summer, but Real Madrid have now entered the race for the 35-year-old's signature. This has caused Hummels to reconsider his options, with the offer of a one-year deal at the European champions potentially too good for him to turn down.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is challenged by Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Hummels played his most recent game against Real Madrid, in the Champions League final (Image credit: Getty Images)

Should Hummels decide to move to Real Madrid, he will likely become the club's fourth-choice centre-back. Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao will all be preferred ahead of him, though the departure of Nacho this summer opens the door for the German to make a good amount of appearances in 2024/25. 

In FourFourTwo's view, signing Hummels would represent good business for Real Madrid. While his wages will still cost a fair amount, he'll be a good stop gap for Los Blancos as they pursue other centre-back options. 

For Hummels himself it's also a great move: there's greater opportunities to win trophies in the Spanish capital, while he'll prove a valuable member of Ancelotti's side whenever needed.

Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund looks on as he lines up with teammates prior to the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Hummels left Dortmund at the end of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.