REAL MADRID could include an English backbone in their starting XI next season.
Los Blancos are reportedly tracking both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Adam Wharton.
Three Lions star Jude Bellingham has already established himself as a regular at the Bernabeu.
The former Birmingham youngster made the switch to Spain from Dortmund for £115million in July 2023.
He has since gone on to become an England standout, helping Gareth Southgate’s men reach the Euros final last season.
Bellingham could be joined in the Spanish capital by two familiar faces over the summer.
Good pal Alexander-Arnold, 26, was the subject of interest from Madrid in the January transfer window.
He is out of contract in the summer, with Carlo Ancelotti keen on a move for the full-back.
Liverpool already have a ready-made replacement in Conor Bradley, with the youngster set for a mega 650 per cent pay rise at Anfield.
Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton is also being “closely monitored” by Madrid scouts.
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The 21-year-old recently returned to action after three months out following groin surgery.
He has impressed since moving to Selhurst Park from Blackburn for £22m in January 2024.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”The meteoric rise of England star Adam Wharton” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6354511970112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Madrid chief scout Juni Calafat is also said to be a big fan of the midfielder.
Wharton is expected to be named in Thomas Tuchel‘s first England squad later this month, alongside Bellingham.
Madrid veterans Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez are both out of contract at the Bernabeu in the summer.
Central midfielder Wharton and full-back Alexander-Arnold would fit the bill in replacing those departing stars.
But a Three Lions reunion in Madrid would not come cheap.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D108626%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]Wharton is also being tracked by Manchester United and Liverpool.
He would cost in the region of £70m, per ESPN.
Should the pair end up in Spain, Madrid’s potential XI next season could feature a strong backbone of English players.
In our predicted line-up, ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois starts between the sticks.
Alexander-Arnold slots in at right back, alongside fellow defenders Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy.
In midfield, Wharton could partner Bellingham and Brahim Diaz.
While upfront, the feared trio of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo would spearhead the attack.