Real Madrid are reportedly growing increasingly confident of signing Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies on a free transfer next summer.
The Canada international entered the last 12 months of his contract with the German giants earlier this year and was widely expected to join Los Blancos during the most recent window.
Back in February, it was reported that Davies and Real Madrid had struck an agreement for the defender to make the move to the Bernabeu, either in 2024 or as a free agent next summer.
Bayern Munich did not give up on trying to tie the left-back down to a new contract, but they have failed in their efforts to do so and now look set to lose Davies for nothing at the end of the season.
According to AS, the 23-year-old has 'resisted' Bayern's renewal offers and 'mind games', and Real Madrid are now expecting to agree a pre-contract deal with him when the January transfer window opens.
Real Madrid 'refused' to pay over £21m for Davies
The report claims that Real Madrid were only prepared to pay as much as €25m (£21.1m) for the Canadian, but Bayern Munich were after a higher fee, in spite of Davies's contract situation.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti and co decided against pursuing a deal for Davies as per the club's philosophy, which is to not engage in negotiations with clubs over players who could leave for nothing the following year.
Ancelotti was happy to continue with Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia with his left-back options this season, especially with the former set to sign a new contract, while also having Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba as backup options.
At the same time, Bayern have resigned themselves to losing Davies when his contract expires in June, but Real Madrid will still keep talks under wraps due to their deep respect and 'excellent' relationship with the German giants.
Davies's switch to the Bernabeu will see him follow a similar path to Kylian Mbappe, whom Real Madrid banked on leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, and the former's move will bring an end to a successful six-and-a-half years at Bayern.
Davies made the move to Bavaria from Vancouver Whitecaps for £11.8m in January 2019, and the 23-year-old has registered 11 goals and 31 assists in 198 matches for Bayern across all competitions.
The defender has won 13 major honours during his time in the Bundesliga, including five top-flight titles, one Champions League and one Club World Cup crown.
What other defenders are Madrid targeting?
Once Davies's arrival on a free transfer is sealed, Real Madrid are likely to turn their attention to the centre of their backline, and chief scout Juni Calafat will reportedly be in attendance in Sunday's Premier League North London derby to watch an Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur pair.
Los Blancos comfortably overcame Real Sociedad 2-0 in Saturday's La Liga contest and are back in action at home to Stuttgart in Tuesday's Champions League opener. body check tags ::
