Real Madrid News
Karim Benzema suffers knee injury during Celtic vs Real Madrid
During Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Celtic, Karim Benzema was forced off the pitch with a knee problem in the 30th minute.
With the French international instant limping after feeling the strain, Carlo Ancelotti decided to replace him by bringing Eden Hazard on.
After the European champions’ failed pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe this summer, Madridistas have been clamouring for the arrival of a brand-new forward, considering the overdependence on Benzema as well as Vinicius Jr. for goals.
In addition, the former started in 43 games across both La Liga and the Champions League in the previous term, which has meant that the club were in dire need for getting a backup in place for the talismanic goalscorer to ease his burden due to a number of factors.
So far this season, the former Lyon frontman has played every minute for the Spanish giants in the league as well.
Ultimately, Carlo Ancelotti will have his fingers crossed that the injury to Karim Benzema is not serious, as that could hamper Real Madrid’s season as a whole instantly.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
