Real Madrid News
Key week ahead as Real Madrid prepare to launch move for priority defensive target
According to reports in Italy, as relayed by SPORT, Real Madrid are set to intensify their pursuit of Alessandro Bastoni this week as they continue shaping Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of the new season.
Los Blancos will begin pre-season next Monday under the Portuguese manager, who is eager to know as soon as possible the group of players he will have at his disposal.
Mourinho has requested two additional signings: a central midfielder and a centre-back.
While the shortlist for midfield remains open, Bastoni has emerged as the preferred option to strengthen the defence alongside the club’s recent arrivals Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Marc Cucurella.
Real Madrid to contact Inter Milan
As per the report, Real Madrid will approach Inter Milan this week to explore the possibility of signing the Italian international.
The first step will be to determine whether the Serie A champions are willing to negotiate Bastoni’s departure.
If the Nerazzurri signals their openness to a deal, Real Madrid intend to ask for the transfer fee they would demand before deciding whether to begin formal negotiations, with the objective of completing the operation as quickly as possible.
Bastoni wants the move
One factor working in Real Madrid’s favour is the player’s desire to leave Inter. Indeed, Bastoni’s preferred destination would be the Santiago Bernabeu.
Aware of the growing interest in their defender, Inter have attempted to secure his future by offering a contract extension beyond his current deal, which expires in 2028, together with an improved salary.
However, Bastoni is said to have rejected that proposal. Moreover, it has also been claimed that the 27-year-old has turned down the possibility of joining other clubs interested in signing him.
The profile Mourinho wants
Real Madrid are specifically searching for a left-footed centre-back to balance a defensive unit currently made up almost entirely of right-footed defenders.
At 27 years old, left-footed, and standing 1.90 metres tall, Bastoni fits the profile Mourinho is looking for.
Inter Milan value the defender at around €65 million, roughly matching his current market valuation, although his market value reached €80 million during last season.
Sales needed
Should Real Madrid complete the signing, the club would almost certainly need to reduce the size of their defensive roster.
At present, the first-team defence consists of 11 players: two right-backs, four left-backs, and five centre-backs.
Adding Bastoni would increase that number to 12 defenders, including six central defenders: with Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Raul Asencio at the club.
As such, Real Madrid consider that they need to sell two defenders in the coming days.
Fran is the leading candidate to leave from the left-back position. Among the centre-backs, Asencio would likely be the player to make way for Bastoni.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
