Real Madrid News
Injured Real Madrid star could return ahead of schedule in time to face Barcelona
When Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz suffered an injury last month, he was expected to be out of action for an extended period.
Indeed, initial reports suggested that the Moroccan international could be on the treatment table for close to three months, putting his return to action close to the turn of the year.
Brahim could be back before the end of the month
However, now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Brahim Diaz could be on the verge of another miraculous recovery like some of his teammates who returned well ahead of their schedule this season.
As mentioned earlier, the 25-year-old suffered an injury on September 14 during a match against Real Sociedad. Medical tests revealed a long abductor muscle injury in his right leg.
Initially, doctors estimated a three-month recovery period, which would have sidelined Brahim until close to 2025. However, the player is making remarkable progress, defying expectations and potentially shortening his rehabilitation timeline.
Recent developments at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground have raised eyebrows. Brahim was seen running on the pitch wearing football boots, and he has already begun ball work – a significant milestone in his recovery.
Sources within Real Madrid suggest that Brahim could rejoin group training as early as next week. This accelerated progress opens up an exciting possibility, as he might be fit to play in the upcoming El Clasico on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Brahim’s potential early comeback could provide a significant boost to the team’s squad depth and tactical options for the crucial match against Barcelona.
Prior to his injury, Brahim had managed to score and assist one goal apiece from six matches in all competitions.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
