Real Madrid News
32-year-old La Liga star pushing to join Real Madrid, negotiations underway – report
With Real Madrid forced into the market for a new goalkeeper following the ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois, they have narrowed in on Sevilla’s Bono as their preferred option.
The 32-year-old Moroccan international is understood to be the favourite option among the club’s coaching staff while the player himself is said to be keen on the switch.
As such, Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA is reporting that Bono is pressuring to leave Sevilla for Real Madrid at the earliest possible, forcing talks to take place between the two clubs.
As such. negotiations are now underway between the two clubs with there being a good feeling about the situation.
However, Real Madrid are clear that they will not pay over the odds to sign the Moroccan international.
Sevilla want €30 million+ for Bono
Bono’s contract with Sevilla consists of a release clause worth €50 million, but the two parties had an agreement that the club will let him leave for €20 million.
However, reports earlier today indicated that the Andalusian outfit was now asking for a fee in excess of €30 million.
As mentioned earlier though, Real Madrid will not pay an unreasonable amount to sign the 32-year-old this summer.
Los Blancos like Bono and see him as the closest to the profile of Courtois due to his experience, winning mentality, height, and physical stature.
But one of the concerns in their pursuit of Bono is that the goalkeeper will be away for a month at the start of the next year for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper is a key part of the Moroccan national team and could be away for an important juncture of the season, which would affect Real Madrid.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted earlier today that the team were not in a hurry to sign a new custodian and that they had total faith in Andriy Lunin, saying:
“The confidence is total in Lunin and in the next few days we will see if we sign one more goalkeeper to the squad.
“We have time until the 31st, the goalkeepers behind Lunin have potential, but they are young. We will think about it.”
But with Bono pushing for the move and Real Madrid keen on getting the deal done soon, things could pick up speed soon.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
