Real Madrid News
Not Bellingham – Real Madrid face Liverpool competition in pursuit of midfield prodigy
Real Madrid offices have no rest, for there is always important planning pending for the present or future. The Spanish champions may have completed their objectives in the current transfer window, but the attention is now on the long-term targets.
Jude Bellingham is one such player whom Los Blancos hope to sign in the coming windows, but they face strong competition from Liverpool in his pursuit. Interestingly, the Borussia Dortmund star is not the only player for whom the two European giants are locking horns.
According to reports from TyC Sports, Real Madrid and Liverpool are interested in Benfica’s young star Enzo Fernandez.
Yet, there is a fundamental difference. The Merseyside team want to sign the Argentine in the current window as an immediate reinforcement while Real Madrid see him as a signing for next year.
The 21-year-old prodigy is considered to be the creme de la creme of South American youngsters because of his versatility. Not only is his defensive play on point but his ability to break down defences with his incisive passes makes him special.
The Argentine signed for Benfica from River Plate last month. His deal with the Portuguese side is for five years, meaning that his signing will not come cheap.
Last season, Fernandez made 28 appearances for the Argentine side, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in the process. This season, he already has one goal to his name in just four league appearances for Benfica.
It remains to be seen if Real Madrid pursue both Bellingham and Fernandez next summer. However, given that they already have Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, one would expect the club to try for only one more star midfielder.
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
