Real Madrid News
Real Madrid captain rejected multiple offers this summer in order to stay – report
The fight between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde in training last season made the headlines for a long time, and understandably so given how it was only the latest development in a long list of turmoil unfolding at Real Madrid at the time.
In the aftermath of the fight, word began to spread that one of the two players would leave the club in the summer and that it was unlikely that they would continue working together.
Aurelien Tchouameni, on that front, was widely linked with a departure, with Manchester United being particularly interested in the move. Eventually, however, he agreed a renewal and opted to stay.
Now, as reported by MARCA, he was not the only player who had offers on the table in the summer, and the Uruguayan midfielder also faced a very similar situation.
Multiple proposals rejected
Indeed, as conveyed by the Spanish outlet, Valverde had multiple proposals on his table in recent months to leave Real Madrid and try his luck at another club.
The new first-captain, however, instantly shut the door and refused to leave the men in white and did not even consider the possibility at any point in time.
After all, Valverde has been loyal to Real Madrid from the get-go and remains an important piece in midfield, especially at a time when the department appears to be the weak link in the team.
Uncertainty for Mourinho
There is word that Valverde is set to start the first league game of the season for Real Madrid this weekend against Espanyol and that he will feature in the double pivot alongside Bernardo Silva.
Concurrently, however, some reports suggest that Mourinho continues to remain relatively unsure about what the Uruguayan star’s best position on the field is in his dynamics.
The new manager sees Valverde as an option to play in midfield, on the wing and also at right-back, but does not have him at the top of his pecking order for any position.
After all, the Portuguese tactician prefers the likes of Tchouameni and Silva in defensive midfield, Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield, Yan Diomande on the wing and Denzel Dumfries at right-back.
For Valverde to have a starting spot regularly, one of the aforementioned players will have to move out of the lineup.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
🆚 @ElcheCF
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