Real Madrid News
Barcelona, Man United enter race for €25 million Real Madrid target endorsed by Modric
Real Madrid have shown concrete interest in securing the services of Croatian rising star Martin Baturina, who has been impressing with Dinamo Zagreb.
The 21-year-old has been recommended to the club by captain Luka Modric having seen him operate from close quarters in the Croatian national team.
However, as reported recently, Baturina rejected a five-year contract offer from Los Blancos, who had plans to sign him and loan him out to a Spanish club.
Barcelona, Manchester United also in the race
Now, journalist Patrick Berger reports that more big clubs from Europe, such as Barcelona, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid are also interested in signing Martin Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb.
As per the report, Real Madrid’s plans for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who has two goals and seven assists this season, was to ship him out on loan for two years after acquiring him from the Croatian outfit.
But that seemingly did not appeal to Baturina, who rejected the proposal from the reigning champions of Spain and Europe.
Now even though he is attracting interest from Barça and Manchester United, the youngster believes that the ideal next move for him is to move to the German Bundesliga before securing a transfer to an elite club.
Baturina does not have a release clause in his contract with Dinamo Zagreb and is expected to cost around €20-25 million in the summer when he plans on leaving his current club.
Only time will tell if Real Madrid decide to make another attempt to sign the young attacking midfielder after seeing their initial proposal get snubbed.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
