Real Madrid News
Bayern Munich join Real Madrid in the race for 19-year-old full-back – report
In fourteen league games so far this season, Real Madrid have been sloppy defensively and conceded a total of fourteen goals. With just two clean sheets in their domestic campaign so far, it is clear that the Merengues have holes in their back-line.
It is the fullback position, right-back, in particular, that seems oddly weak on paper. Dani Carvajal is no doubt a great player on his day, yet, his only real replacement trusted by Carlo Ancelotti is Lucas Vazquez, a makeshift fullback forced to employ his trade in defence.
Given their lack of options, Los Blancos identified Malo Gusto as a possible reinforcement in the coming windows. The Olympique Lyon starlet, at just 19 years of age, would be a long-term fix to the acute problem.
According to reports from TZ (h/t SPORT), the chances of Real Madrid signing the right-back have been hampered by Bayern Munich. The German club are on the lookout for a new defender in view of Benjamin Pavard’s uncertain future and Gusto is the chosen one.
Furthermore, the Bavarians are said to have practically ‘tied down’ his signature.
Real Madrid are not the only Spanish club keeping tabs on Gusto, with Barcelona very much in the running. Given the high competition for the youngster, Real Madrid will be compelled to catalyse their negotiations with his party soon.
In 14 league appearances for Lyon this season, the Frenchman averages close to ten defensive actions per game. Further, he has provided over one key pass per game.
A young talent with great potential, Gusto could be a wise addition at the Santiago Bernabeu. But in case the 19-year-old ends up signing for Bayern Munich, Real Madrid will have to look at other options, including the possibility of signing Vinicius Tobias permanently.
Real Madrid’s main goal heading into the summer transfer window was to wrap up the signing of Jude Bellingham amid massive interest from Premier League giants such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s City, especially, were ready to match and increase any salary Madrid offered, and were going strongly into the bidding war.
Eventually, Bellingham decided to join Madrid after they reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for €3 million.
However, following this, los blancos had to improvise a fair bit as Karim Benzema decided to leave the club to join Al-Ittihad on a free transfer. They were expecting him to continue for another season, at least, and it stumped their plans in the market.
In the next few weeks, Madrid chased forwards, and ended up signing Joselu, Brahim Diaz, and a certain Arda Guler, who was close to Barcelona before eventually ending up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Unfortunately for Madrid, he is yet to play a single minute for the club after picking up a serious injury in pre-season. Despite being on the bench for a couple of games, Guler suffered a relapse in training, and was sidelined again.
Now, reports from Yagiz Sabuncuoglu say that the Turkish international is close to returning to team training.
Guler has slowly, but surely, been recovering from his injury, and could take to the pitch for his first minutes with the club in the next few weeks as Madrid look for solutions after a month full of injuries.
With Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois all out until early 2024, Madrid have relied on Castilla for reinforcements, but could do with Guler’s services in their forward line.
That said, Carlo Ancelotti and co. are expected to be extremely cautious when it comes to the Turkish international. The slightest spell of poor man-management here could make or break the youngster’s career.
