Real Madrid looking to acquire Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina?

As Jeff Carlisle explained for ESPN back on May 20, Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel "Gaga" Slonina pledged his future to the United States men's national team despite interest from Poland, the birth country of his parents.

Slonina may soon be in headlines for a different type of move. 

According to Tom Bogert of the Major League Soccer website, Spanish giants Real Madrid recently had a bid rejected for Slonina because it did not match Chicago's valuation for the 18-year-old. The Fire responded with a counter offer. 

Jaime Garcia of Starting XI Player Management, Slonina's agent, told the MLS website that his client "cannot say no to Real Madrid" and that Slonina wants to join the La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners this summer. 

"It should be an honor for Chicago, and MLS, to have Real Madrid take notice in one of their players," Garcia explained. "We are hoping Chicago can find an agreement with Real Madrid to realize Gabriel’s dream of playing for this club." 

Bogert reports English Premier League clubs Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton "have held talks for Slonina." However, the player now wants to sign for Real Madrid. 

"Clubs can't ask for exorbitant fees," Garcia remarked. "These younger players have high hopes and dreams and we can’t forget that sports aren’t just business. I think we have a duty of care to these players as people first; when the person is at the forefront it’s always easy to find solutions on the back end." 

Per ESPN and Reuters, Slonina has tallied five clean sheets in 14 MLS starts for Chicago this season. His current contract expires after the 2023 MLS campaign.