Real Madrid News
Mbappe makes personal plea for Real Madrid to sign his French teammate
Real Madrid’s long-running links with Michael Olise have gathered fresh momentum after a new report claimed Kylian Mbappe has personally informed Florentino Perez that the Bayern Munich winger is eager to join the Spanish giants.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Mbappe contacted the Real Madrid president following France’s defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals to relay Olise’s interest in making the move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
While Real Madrid’s transfer plans regarding Olise have yet to progress into formal negotiations, the aforementioned development has placed the French winger at the centre of attention once again.
Despite previous public denials from the club regarding any interest in Olise, reports continue to suggest that the 24-year-old sees his future in Madrid.
Mbappe encourages Olise to join Real Madrid
As per the outlet, Mbappe has become one of the strongest advocates for Michael Olise’s move to Real Madrid.
The two France internationals have developed a strong understanding on the international stage, and the Real Madrid forward has encouraged his teammate to make the switch to Spain.
Mbappe is said to believe Olise would fit naturally into Jose Mourinho’s project and told him that the club both wants and needs his qualities in attack.
In fact, following France’s World Cup exit, Mbappe informed Perez that Olise is enthusiastic about the prospect of playing at the Bernabeu.
Those claims follow earlier reports, which stated that Olise had already shared his desire to play for Real Madrid with several of his France teammates.
Bayern Munich maintain firm stance
While Olise’s interest has fuelled excitement, the biggest obstacle remains Bayern Munich’s position.
Earlier in the summer, Real Madrid issued an official statement dismissing rumours linking the club with the winger, a move viewed as an attempt to avoid creating unnecessary tension with the Bundesliga champions.
Bayern have also maintained that they have no intention of opening negotiations for one of their most important attacking players.
Even so, speculation surrounding the Michael Olise transfer has refused to disappear.
It is said that the winger believes he would be closer to achieving his ambition of winning the UEFA Champions League by joining Real Madrid.
In fact, Olise feels his cycle at Bayern may already be nearing its conclusion after two seasons in Germany.
At present, however, there have been no direct discussions between the two clubs, meaning any potential move remains at an early stage despite the growing volume of reports.
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.
