Real Madrid News
AC Milan star wants to follow Ronaldo’s footsteps and join Real Madrid
Portugal boast one of the best attacking setups in international football. With Cristiano Ronaldo captaining them, he has the aid of Joao Felix, Andre Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao.
Four of the aforementioned five have a price tag of €100 million or so attached to them, in one way or another. Felix, Bernardo, and Leao, particularly, are subject to transfer rumours ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea seem to be in pole position to sign Leao, but Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on him, as per AS. Madrid were already linked to him last summer, and have good reports.
Leao, meanwhile, wants to follow Ronaldo’s footsteps, and Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of the player, speaking of him in very high praise.
The Portuguese’s contract clocks up in 2024, and AC Milan have been trying to renew his contract urgently, with little to no success. The player wants to make the move to a big club in the summer.
Milan wants to include a release clause of nearly €150-200 million in Leao’s contract, which would prevent a big club from making a move for him, at least this summer.
That said, the player’s entourage has ruled out a potential move in the winter, despite several clubs ready to pay big money to bring him in.
Leao received the Serie A player of the year award last season after guiding Milan to their first scudetto in over a decade. He scored 11 goals and assisted eight, and has only increased his output this season, with six goals and four assists in 14 games already.
Not to forget, the 23-year-old had an excellent debut World Cup game, scoring three minutes after coming on against Ghana. Performances like this, coupled with his numbers will only increase his price tag for next summer.
Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid star will be fit for Valladolid clash despite national team withdrawal
Real Madrid have been greeted with some positive news on the injury front as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit and ready for the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Valladolid.
The 30-year-old custodian had flown away for national team duty with Belgium and played the full game against Sweden last week. However, the Real Madrid ace was sent back to the club over the weekend due to a minor adductor strain.
This raised concerns over the former Chelsea star’s condition, especially with a busy period lying ahead for the Merengues.
However, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic has eased any nerves surrounding his situation, reporting that Courtois was subjected to tests upon returning to Spain and there is no reason for worry.
The report states that Real Madrid expect their No. 1 to be fit and available for their next game which will be against Real Valladolid in La Liga on April 2, Sunday.
It is further stated that the knock Courtois sustained was not a new one and that the 30-year-old had felt discomfort in the same area during Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
Courtois has featured 32 times across all competitions this term, having missed a few matches due to fitness issues. He has managed just ten clean sheets and will be hoping to add to that against Valladolid, now that is reportedly fit to feature at the weekend.
In another boost, reports earlier today indicated that Toni Kroos does not have any injury after concerns were raised due to the midfielder doing individual training sessions over the past week.
