Real Madrid News
Arsenal interested in signing Serie A defender partly owned by Real Madrid
Arsenal have added former Real Madrid defender Jacobo Ramon to their shortlist as they continue searching for defensive reinforcements, but any move will depend heavily on the Spanish giants.
According to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, the Gunners are monitoring the 21-year-old after an impressive breakthrough season with Como.
However, Real Madrid remain in a powerful position despite selling the defender last year, having retained significant control over his future.
That means Arsenal would not only have to convince Como to sell but would also have to consider Real Madrid’s contractual rights before any transfer could progress.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Jacobo Ramon
Ramon left Real Madrid in 2025, joining Como in a deal worth €2.5 million after progressing through La Fabrica.
The agreement proved to be more than a straightforward sale, as Real Madrid negotiated a 50% sell-on clause along with multiple buy-back options, ensuring they would still influence the defender’s next move if his development continued on its current trajectory.
That decision already looks justified.
Under Cesc Fabregas, Ramon established himself as a regular starter during his first season in Serie A, making 37 appearances across all competitions and contributing two goals.
Real Madrid not expected to rush into a decision
While Arsenal’s interest is genuine, Real Madrid still believe Ramon could have a future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Previous reports have indicated that the club view the centre-back as a realistic candidate to return, although their preference is to wait until the summer of 2027 rather than activate a buy-back clause immediately.
That position gives Madrid flexibility.
If Como receive an offer of around €30 million, which is his current market value, Real Madrid would be entitled to approximately €15 million through their sell-on clause.
At the same time, the club could still choose to protect their long-term interests if they believe Ramon’s development warrants another opportunity in Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe fires back at critics over his Real Madrid role: ‘A player who scores goals will never be the problem’
Kylian Mbappe has started the new season for Real Madrid in great form, scoring five goals in five games so far.
The Frenchman has continued from where he left off last season, with seemingly no drop in his scoring rate, and he could have had one more had he not missed his penalty against Real Betis.
The 27-year-old superstar has pushed back against criticism of his contribution to Real Madrid, insisting that his goalscoring should not be treated as a problem.
Mbappe’s logic is that the fundamental objective of football is to outscore the opposition and that, therefore, goalscoring should never be seen as an issue.
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe addressed the issue in an interview with L’Equipe, where he spoke openly about criticism of his defensive work and the constant scrutiny associated with him.
Mbappe responds to criticism
The Madrid forward believes people have become so accustomed to his attacking production that attention naturally shifts towards what he does not provide.
“Is it normal that people forget my goals and focus on the defensive work? No, but that is the life of someone who has been close to excellence for 10 years. I am not new to this. Everyone knows what I can do,” Mbappe said.
“It is human to look at what someone does not do. When someone has been doing something for 10 years, we stop looking at it because we know he can do it, so we look at what he is not doing. I do not take it personally.”
Mbappe’s standards are so high that scoring regularly can almost be taken for granted. However, one has to remember how remarkable that consistency is.
‘A player who scores goals will never be a problem’
Mbappe was even firmer when discussing suggestions that his goals may not necessarily translate into collective success.
“It makes no sense. If I do not score goals, they are going to ask me why I am not scoring,” he said.
“As a footballer, I have learned that there are millions of coaches in every match you play, and not all of those coaches are happy. Everyone has an opinion, but in football the objective is to score more goals than the opponent.”
Then came his clearest message.
“A player who scores goals will never be the problem of a team, because no team has ever won titles without scoring goals.”
Madrid need balance, not less of Mbappe
Mbappe’s argument is difficult to dismiss.
Even if they say “attack wins you games, defence wins you tournaments”, you cannot win games unless you score goals, and you cannot win tournaments unless you win games.
Madrid can demand more collective work from every player, especially under Jose Mourinho, without pretending elite goalscoring is somehow secondary.
The real challenge is finding the right balance.
Madrid need Mbappe to remain devastating in front of goal while fitting into the team’s pressing and defensive structure. Those demands are not one or the other.
If anything, Mourinho’s task is to build a system that protects Mbappe’s greatest strength while still making Madrid harder to play against.
Mbappe’s goals are not, and never will be, the problem. The onus is on the manager to bring those strengths out in a system that also preserves the defensive structure.
