Bayer Leverkusen are tracking Atletico Madrid defender Javi Manquillo as they look to reinforce their defence for next season.
The Germans see Manquillo [pictured, centre] as a direct replacement for Dani Carvajal, who has returned to Real Madrid after the buy-back clause in his contract was exercised, and had the 19-year-old watched last year as well as during the recent Under-20 World Cup in Israel.
According to AS, Leverkusen’s reading of the situation is similar to the one that saw Carvajal move to the Bay Arena 12 months ago – a young footballer of promise who is not getting the desired playing time at his parent club.
Nonetheless, despite Bayer’s interest there has still been no official offer for Manquillo, who is due to return for pre-season training on Tuesday when Atleti boss Diego Simeone will inform him if he figures in his plans for next season.
