Real Madrid News
Benfica demand two Real Madrid players in order to soften deal for top defensive target
Real Madrid are moving quite swiftly in their bid to sign Alvaro Carreras, who has emerged as their ideal target to reinforce the left-back position.
Real Madrid are indulge in talks with Benfica after today’s Portuguese cup final, having already agreed personal terms with the player.
However, the Spanish giants are facing some trouble agreeing to Benfica’s €50 million demand for Carreras and are, therefore, looking to soften the deal.
Benfica want two Real Madrid stars
As reported by Fichajes, Benfica themselves are open to softening the deal to sell Carreras but only if Real Madrid add two of their star players in the deal.
The Portuguese giants are particularly looking for Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia as add-ons, in the Carreras deal.
Should Real Madrid add these two stars in the deal, Benfica would be open to significantly lowering their demands for Carreras.
However, the report adds that Real Madrid’s coach-designate Xabi Alonso isn’t too thrilled by the prospect of losing either Ceballos or Garcia.
Ceballos has been a useful player for Real Madrid in the recent past, showing onlookers that he is more than capable of fighting for a place in the first-team.
With Luka Modric leaving the club, Ceballos’ presence in the first-team will become even more important, considering the way others have struggled with injuries.
As for Garcia, it appears Benfica have identified the Spaniard as an ideal replacement for Carreras. However, should he leave Real Madrid, the club will be left with Ferland Mendy as the only alternative – something Alonso wants to avoid.
Therefore, as negotiations look to take pace between Real Madrid and Benfica, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos are willing to offload any of their star players in order to soften the deal to sign Carreras.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
