Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti’s admiration for Spanish defender faces financial roadblocks
Real Madrid have set their sights on bolstering their defence in the upcoming winter and summer transfer windows.
According to a report from The Athletic, Carlo Ancelotti has a strong admiration for Aymeric Laporte, but signing him could pose financial challenges for the club.
Laporte’s experience at both Athletic Club in La Liga and Manchester City in the Premier League makes him a standout option. However, the financial hurdles make his acquisition a complex prospect.
Real Madrid want a defender
Real Madrid’s priorities for these transfer windows are clear: they aim to secure reinforcements in the centre-back and right-back positions.
Talks for a summer transfer are already underway for a centre-back, and while Laporte is highly rated by Ancelotti, the club is also exploring alternative options.
One such alternative is Vitor Reis of Palmeiras. Real Madrid have sought information about the young defender from his agents and the club.
However, no decision has been made, and Premier League teams currently appear to be leading the race for his signature.
Similarly, Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig is another name on the radar, but recent reports suggest there have been no serious moves to bring him to Madrid.
A more affordable option could be Rafa Marin, a former academy player. Currently at Napoli, Marin is not seeing much playing time, and Real Madrid have an accessible buy-back clause for the young defender.
Then what’s the problem?
Despite these alternatives, Laporte remains the most appealing choice for Ancelotti, largely due to his vast experience at the highest levels of European football.
His ability to adapt to La Liga, combined with his leadership and defensive prowess, could bring immediate solidity to Real Madrid’s backline.
For now, though, the club has not made any firm decisions regarding their next defensive target. As discussions progress, it will be interesting to see which direction Real Madrid take to strengthen their squad.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
