Real Madrid News
Key Reason why Real Madrid did not press to sign Inter Milan defender this summer
The second half of Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was headlined by Jose Mourinho’s incessant demands for a second centre-back signing.
While the club did sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer, the new manager saw a real need for a second starting-quality central defender, especially given Eder Militao’s uncertain fitness and Antonio Rudiger’s age.
One of the players who Mourinho saw as a top target, on that front, was Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni who will play at the Santiago Bernabeu later today in the first game week of the UEFA Champions League.
Why Real Madrid did not sign Bastoni
In a recent update, Diario AS confirm the reasons why Real Madrid did not end up signing Bastoni this summer despite the player being Mourinho’s top target.
For starters, Inter Milan refused to let the player leave this summer for even a dime less than €70 million, and even the player was in no hurry to leave the club.
There has indeed been friction between Bastoni and the Inter Milan fanbase in recent times, but the player has not shown any advancement from his side to leave.
In fact, he has always publicly transmitted his happiness at the club and Inter saw the sum demanded as more than fair.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, however, the €70 million was affordable but landed in a grey area in terms of necessity. Eventually, the administration did not sanction Mourinho’s demand to sign Bastoni.
The second reason
Beyond the economics of the deal, however, there is a second important factor that played a role in the Real Madrid-Bastoni saga – Raul Asencio.
Los Blancos saw a departure from defence as essential before even considering any new arrival in the department, simply because of the full squad.
Raul Asencio, however, refused to leave despite being directly told by the manager that he is not in the team’s plans.
Had the Spaniard left, Bastoni would be the team’s top target. As fate has it, however, the defender will play for Inter Milan at the Bernabeu on a night when he could well have been dressed in white.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
