Real Madrid News
Ancelotti likes 31-goal Serie A hitman, but Real Madrid unwilling to splash the cash
Real Madrid’s transfer window has seen a steep turn. From the initial claims that they are looking at multiple renowned names to strengthen the forward department, Los Blancos’ search for a striker has fallen flat on its face.
Carlo Ancelotti was the force responsible for propelling the idea of a big summer striker signing. After all, the manager had just lost the services of Karim Benzema and was desperate to fill the void with a quality name.
Harry Kane was the Italian tactician’s top choice on that front. According to reports from Mario Cortegana, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is another player really liked by the coach.
The 24-year-old took Serie A by storm last season, scoring 26 goals and providing four assists in Napoli’s sensational run to the title. He averaged over 1.1 key passes and a staggering 4.2 shots per game in that duration. He also netted five goals in the UCL, taking his total tally for the season to 31.
Moreover, Osimhen has been a star in Italy for a while now. With 13 and 16 goal contributions to his name in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons respectively, his numbers have only improved with every passing year.
The Nigerian international’s contract with Napoli runs out in 2025, and the Serie A champions are in talks with him over an extension. Real Madrid contacted the Italian club over his availability earlier this month but are said to be unwilling to meet their asking price.
Florentino Perez prefers to wait for Kylian Mbappe over any other striker in world football. The French international’s arrival this summer, however, is not simple and could get pushed over to 2024.
As it stands, it appears that the Merengues will see no further additions to their squad heading into the 2023-23 campaign. Joselu will serve as the team’s primary striker, with Vincius Jr and Rodrygo likely to flank him.
Real Madrid were sent in a state of worry last night as their defensive options appeared to have fully diminished.
With Eder Militao already out on the sidelines, Los Blancos lost David Alaba to an injury in the first half of their game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It left Carlo Ancelotti with just two frontline senior centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez.
And by the end of the match, Rudiger was seen limping even though he played the entire 90 minutes.
Rudiger’s knock not serious
The sight of the German being in discomfort raised some concerns. But now, journalist Melchor Ruiz of COPE has provided a positive update on Rudiger’s situation which will come as a relief for Real Madrid fans.
As per the update, Rudiger was put through tests today and the results show that his condition is nothing to be concerned about.
All signs point towards the former Chelsea ace being available to play against La Liga leaders Girona on Saturday away at Montilivi.
This comes as a big relief for Los Blancos who would have been left with Nacho as the last man standing in the centre-back department if Rudiger too was injured.
What did Ancelotti say?
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Las Palmas last night, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had indicated that Rudiger’s injury was not something to worry about, saying:
“Rüdiger is touched, it’s a blow, but we think it’s going to be fine for the next game. The Alaba thing is a problem with the abductor and I don’t think he’ll be there on Saturday.”
And that is how it has panned out with Rudiger’s knock not serious and the German is now expected to be ready for the Girona clash.
As for Alaba, he will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to determine the extent of his injury.
