Real Madrid News
Chelsea ‘in touch’ to sign 23-year-old Real Madrid target from Italian giants – report
Real Madrid are interested in signing AC Milan and Portugal forward Rafael Leao but face competition from Premier League giants Chelsea. This claim comes from journalist Carlo Garganese who claims that the Blues are already ‘in touch’ over a possible transfer.
Leao has enjoyed a stunning run over the past 15 months or so, as he first helped AC Milan win the Serie A title last season and has carried his rich vein of form into the ongoing campaign.
The 23-year-old has already racked up an impressive tally of seven goals and nine assists from 20 matches across all competitions for the Rossoneri this season.
Currently representing Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2022, Leao was also on target for his national team in their opening game against Ghana, helping them pick up a 3-2 victory.
Leao’s meteoric rise during this period has earned him admirers from across Europe. What has made him an even more enticing prospect is that his contract with Milan expires in 2024 and talks over a renewal are yet to yield the desired result.
Real Madrid have shown an interest in the 23-year-old Portuguese international, as he could add more depth and quality to the attacking department that has appeared over-reliant on Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr at times.
However, Chelsea, too, are also keen and are already making moves to sign Leao, claims Carlo Garganese.
“Leao’s contract runs out in 2024. Chelsea, they’re still in touch, they’re one of the main clubs, but they’re not the only club that are interested in him. Real Madrid are also interested in him as well,” he told GIVEMESPORT.
Apart from Leao, Real Madrid have also taken a keen interest in PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo. But competition for his signing will also be intense as the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all keen.
Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could renew contract with Real Madrid if he wins the Champions League – report
The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hinges on several factors and journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that if Real Madrid do not sack him at the end of the season, the Italian will continue to serve the team at least until his current contract, which runs until 2024.
Furthermore, the report also states that Ancelotti could even be handed a contract extension if he leads the team to the UEFA Champions League triumph once again.
It is more than evident that Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future is far from certain. Ever since the managerial role at the Brazilian national team opened up, the 63-year-old is being pursued by the South American team.
Cortegana writes that even though Ancelotti is quite happy at Real Madrid, there remains a possibility that he will, indeed, accept the Brazil role if he were to leave the Spanish capital city as he sees this job as an appealing end to his managerial career.
At Real Madrid, he knows that he will have to keep winning trophies and this season, the La Liga honour is more or less lost. But with the possibility of winning the UEFA Champions League still open, Cortegana has reported that if the Italian does, in fact, succeed at winning the European crown, he might end up renewing his deal with the team.
At the moment, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is trying to keep a respectful distance, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that they have made him their absolute priority.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
“Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career,” he added.
Ancelotti is aware that Brazil want him and Brazil know Ancelotti is ready to join, but everything hinges on what happens with Real Madrid this season.
If they end up winning the Champions League or even if Madrid decided to stick with him until his contract expires [2024], Brazil will be forced to look for alternatives. If not, one can expect the Italian to be the new head coach of the Seleçao.
