Real Madrid News
AC Milan confirm desire to keep Real Madrid loanee permanently, could hold talks soon
Real Madrid spent a decent sum of money to bring home Manchester City academy player Brahim Diaz in 2019. The Merengues shelled out €17.5 million for his signature and saw him as one of the most promising young talents.
After 18 months at the club, he was shipped off to AC Milan in 2020, however, and the first of two long loan spells thus began for the Spanish prodigy. His current deal with the Rossoneri is a two-year loan contract that sees him at the club until the summer of 2023 and will end in June.
AC Milan’s director of football, Frederic Massara, spoke with Sky Sport Italia on Friday night and discussed the situation of Diaz amongst other topics. His comments reflected a sense of interest to keep the player in Italy, although the final decision rests on Real Madrid.
“Brahim Díaz? We will sit down and talk with Real Madrid. We want to keep him, he has done well here. Let’s see if there will be conditions to negotiate with Real Madrid.”
The 23-year-old has impressed in his spell under Stefano Pioli and has been a regular starter for the reigning champions of Italy. In 25 Serie A appearances, he has scored five goals and provided four assists in addition to 1.3 key passes per game.
The 23-year-old can be an option in midfield for Real Madrid, as Luka Modric enters the final phase of his career. His ability to play on the right could also be a valuable asset for the Merengues.
The right-wing has been a department of concern under Carlo Ancelotti this season. Both Federico Valverde and Rodrygo Goes have been tried in the position, but Diaz could add a different flavour to the Real Madrid frontline.
Milan’s interest to sign the player on a permanent move, however, adds a new dimension to the story. It has been previously reported that the Rossoneri have an option of signing him permanently for €22 million, but Real Madrid can re-sign him for just €27 million.
However, the Serie A giants are said to be unwilling to spend that much on his signing.
So, Massara has hinted at talks with Los Blancos. But, as far as Real Madrid are concerned, they want Diaz back at the club next summer and are even planning to hand him a new long-term contract.
The cloud of uncertainty over Karim Benzema’s future has served as a major headache for the Real Madrid board, as they kickstart their team planning ahead of the new season.
Recent reports claim the Frenchman is strongly considering a move to Saudi Arabia, after receiving a lucrative €150 million offer from Al Ittihad. He was close to renewing his contract at Santiago Bernabeu not too long ago, but it appears the tables have turned lately.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid are yet to give up on Benzema and still harbour hopes of renewing his contract in the coming weeks, reports Alfredo Matilla.
The Spanish journalist suggests Real Madrid have not closed the file on Benzema. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has recently met the forward to clarify his future and it appears the club are set to do everything they can to keep hold of the player.
Benzema’s departure, after all, could put the club in a major dilemma, where they must either sign a top-class striker or settle for a low-cost alternative for the entirety of next season.
Harry Kane has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for Benzema. But his acquisition could potentially jeopardise Real Madrid’s bid to sign either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in 2024. The club have also faced difficulties negotiating with Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman.
As far as the low-cost options are concerned, Real Madrid are interested in Roberto Firmino, who will become a free agent in the summer.
However, the Brazilian international is not the most productive striker around and his struggles in front of goal could put more pressure on players like Vinicius Junior next season.
Real Madrid, therefore, will hope to keep hold of Benzema’s services for another year. Unfortunately, though, the player has given a cold response so far and left training early, without speaking too much.
So it will be interesting to see whether or not the veteran striker opts to remain at Bernabeu for another year.
