Real Madrid News
Florentino Perez was allegedly furious over Real Madrid selection against Bayern Munich
Fresh tension appears to be developing at Real Madrid following new reports involving club president Florentino Perez, Ferland Mendy and young defender Alvaro Carreras.
According to the latest information emerging from Rodra (h/ Madrid Zone), Perez was reportedly unhappy with the decision to start Mendy during Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
The Real Madrid president is said to have wanted Carreras to receive more playing time, especially considering the club invested heavily in the Spanish left-back during the previous summer transfer window.
Reports suggest Perez still views Carreras as one of the club’s important long-term investments and believes the youngster should be receiving greater opportunities to develop at the highest level.
Defending the decision
As such, the coaching staff reportedly defended their decision by pointing toward sporting reasons and performance-related concerns.
Mendy, despite struggling with fitness issues at different stages of the season, continues to be viewed as one of the squad’s most dependable defenders whenever available.
That reportedly played a major role in the decision to start the Frenchman against Bayern Munich.
Carreras’ difficult first-leg performance against Michael Olise is also believed to have influenced the coaching staff’s thinking ahead of the decisive second leg.
Troubling stories from Real Madrid
In recent days, the young Spanish defender has increasingly found himself under scrutiny for reasons beyond performances alone.
According to several reports, members of the coaching staff are not fully satisfied with Carreras’ attitude and behaviour around the squad.
There have even been claims that Alvaro Arbeloa has excluded the defender from the starting lineup on multiple occasions this season because of concerns regarding his mentality.
The situation became even more controversial following Real Madrid’s recent match against Espanyol.
Cameras allegedly showed Carreras smiling on the bench after Mendy suffered an injury, while Arbeloa instead chose to introduce Garcia rather than the young Spaniard.
Even so, Perez’s position on the player appears unchanged. After spending around €50 million to secure Carreras, the Real Madrid president expected the defender to become a much more important part of the first-team rotation this season.
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.
