Real Madrid News
Chelsea make inquiry about exit-bound Real Madrid defender, Sociedad also interested
Real Madrid are ready to part with several players this summer as they continue their quick-fire departures before their ‘revolutionary summer’.
They have already announced exits for four attackers in the form of Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, and Mariano Diaz, all on free transfers.
On the other hand, los blancos have already brought in Fran Garcia back from Rayo Vallecano, exercising their buy-back clause. This was followed by Brahim Diaz’s arrival as well, who finished his two-year loan tenure with AC Milan.
Madrid also want to get rid of Alvaro Odriozola, who is Real Sociedad’s radar for the summer. And while the player prefers a move to La Real, they are not prepared to pay a transfer fee for his services.
Meanwhile, Daily Mail have reported that Chelsea have made an inquiry for Odriozola. The Spaniard is in the last year of his contract with Madrid, and should be available on a slashed price for the Blues, who can shell out a meager sum to overtake Sociedad in the race.
However, it is interesting to note Chelsea’s interest in Odriozola, especially since they have two of the best young right-backs in Europe at their disposal in the form of Reece James, and Malo Gusto, who is set to permanently join them this summer.
Further, Cesar Azpilicueta also signed a two-year renewal with Chelsea, keeping him at the club until 2024. The Spaniard, while more of a centre-back in a back-three now, also deploys his trade naturally as a right-back.
Madrid paid upwards of €32 million for Odriozola back in 2018 as competition for Daniel Carvajal, but the player has far from met the expectations the club set for him when he initially joined from Real Sociedad.
He has since been on two loan tenures, at Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, but it seems his time at the Santiago Bernabeu has finally, permanently come to an end.
Real Madrid have identified the midfield department as a key area of the squad that needs strengthening next year.
Having failed to sign Rodri this past summer, the Merengues understand that a major signing is necessary in the position.
Several names have already been linked as potential targets for the Spanish capital club, one of whom happens to be AFC Bournemouth rising star Alex Scott.
Indeed, Real Madrid have scouted the England international this season and are continuing to closely monitor his development in the Premier League.
However, competition for the 23-year-old midfielder’s services is already heating up.
AC Milan eye Alex Scott
Indeed, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t AS), Italian giants AC Milan have set their sights on Scott to replace Real Madrid legend Luka Modric next season.
Modric, at 41, is entering the final phase of his career and his contract with the Rossoneri stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
As such, the Serie A heavyweights will need to rope in a replacement and have seemingly identified Scott, who is also on Real Madrid’s radar, as an option.
Apart from AC Milan, even Chelsea and Liverpool have also shown interest in the 23-year-old England star, and might even be willing to make a move for him in January.
This complicates the situation for Real Madrid, who would ideally wait until the summer of 2027 to reinforce their midfield unit.
€50 million for Scott?
Furthermore, the report states that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around €50 million, a fee that could be an issue for AC Milan.
That figure, however, should not pose a challenge for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the increasing competition for the 23-year-old’s services could drive up the price further, making things complicated.
For now, though, Real Madrid’s interest in Scott has been limited to scouting and monitoring his progress and compiling reports on him.
Whether it translates into a formal approach and offer in the summer or in January itself remains to be seen.
