Real Madrid News
Official: Luka Modric ruled out of RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid have issued an official statement confirming that midfielder Luka Modric will not be travelling to Germany for their UEFA Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
Los Blancos face off against the German outfit tomorrow in their penultimate Group F encounter of the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have already booked a place in the knockout rounds of the competition. And a point on Tuesday will secure the top spot for them.
Heading into the game, Los Blancos were already without star striker Karim Benzema, who did not play at the weekend against Sevilla due to muscle fatigue.
On top of that, Federico Valverde has also been ruled out of the contest due to a minor knock he picked up during the win over Sevilla on Saturday.
Now, Modric, who had been named in the squad for the RB Leipzig clash by Ancelotti, has also been withdrawn at the last minute by Real Madrid, with the Croatian now missing the flight to Germany for tomorrow’s encounter.
“Luka Modrić will not play the match between Real Madrid and Leipzig, corresponding to matchday 5 of the Champions League Group Stage, which takes place tomorrow at the RB Arena,” the official statement from Real Madrid read.
“The Croatian was among those called up by Ancelotti for this match, but he is absent at the last minute and does not travel with the team to Leipzig.”
There is no clear indication as to why the decision has been made, but Real Madrid will be without three of their main players for the trip to Leipzig now.
But Jose Luis Sanchez has reported that the Croatian is suffering from a slight discomfort in his adductor. The issue is not serious but he has been dropped for the RB Leipzig clash as a precaution.
A clearer update on Modric’s withdrawal from the squad could arrive during Ancelotti’s press conference later tonight.
Manchester City have now joined the ever-growing list of admirers for Celta Vigo midfielder and Real Madrid target Gabri Veiga, reports Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the breakout stars of La Liga this season, having impressed with his goalscoring abilities from the centre of the park. Indeed, the youngster has notched up nine goals in La Liga and his exploits have made the giants of Europe sit up and take notice.
Real Madrid are said to be interested in Veiga’s services heading into the summer. The Merengues have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos on expiring contracts and it is unlikely that all three will be renewed, especially with Jude Bellingham being on the agenda.
In case of Modric and Kroos, even if they stay, it will likely be for only a season at the most. Hence, Los Blancos could require more than one central midfielder come summer, with Veiga emerging as an option.
The 20-year-old was also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Now, Manchester City have also jumped on the bandwagon of clubs interested in Veiga’s services.
The Cityzens, who are battling Real Madrid for Bellingham as well, are set to lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is also far from certain, thus necessitating the signing of another midfielder.
Veiga has a release clause worth €40 million in his contract with Celta Vigo, which should not be a problem for either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino recently admitted that the midfielder could leave the club in the summer, saying:
“We don’t want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there. We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for Veiga’s signing or decide to entirely focus on their pursuit of Bellingham.
