Real Madrid News
Bayer Leverkusen set €100 million price tag on Real Madrid target
Real Madrid are planning for a blockbuster summer transfer window in the coming months, with several star signings expected to light up the Santiago Bernabeu. While negotiations with certain targets like Kylian Mbappe are close to being completed, some targets remain in the scouting phase. One such young talent is Moussa Diaby.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward has taken Bundesliga by storm this season, leading the charge for his team. He has recorded 15 goals and nine assists across all competitions for the German side, making him one of the most sought after forwards in world football.
Real Madrid see the 22-year-old as the missing piece in their puzzle. Los Blancos wish to reinforce their squad with dynamic wingers, and Diaby is one of the best in the business.
According to reports from L’Equipe, as relayed via Fichajes, Bayer Leverkusen have slapped a price of €100 million against his name to deter any interested parties.
The German side do not want to lose their star for a low price, and the nine-digit figure is seen as a fair price in the inflated market.
It would be difficult to imagine Real Madrid shelling out such a large amount for one player when they have multiple positions to reinforce. Moreover, the arrival of Mbappe, coupled with Vinicius Jr’s incredible form, may make Diaby’s signing less of a necessity for Florentino Perez’s team.
In 23 league starts this season, the Frenchman averages two shots and 1.6 key passes per game. He has created ten big chances and missed three during the same duration.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
