Real Madrid News
Opponent watch: Chelsea trio return to training ahead of Real Madrid clash
After a disappointing defeat to Villarreal in La Liga, Real Madrid will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
It will not be an easy task for the defending champions, despite Chelsea’s poor form in the Premier League. Their newly-appointed manager Frank Lampard is already looking forward to the clash, stating, “Anything can happen”.
In a blow for Real Madrid, Chelsea have also been boosted by the return of Thiago Silva. The 38-year-old defensive leader has been out of action for a chunk of this year due to a ligament injury, missing a host of matches including one of the two Round of 16 clashes against Borussia Dortmund.
But he has returned to training ahead of Real Madrid. Silva is not the only player to return to training either, with his teammates Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante also joining him on the list, as confirmed by the club’s official website.
Mount, who has racked up four assists in the UCL so far, had been suffering from a broken pelvis. While he returned to training last week, he suffered a recurrence of the issue which led to him missing the match against Wolves over the weekend, casting doubts over his involvement against Madrid.
Meanwhile, Kante had been struggling with a hamstring injury for almost the entirety of the campaign. The midfield general only recently made a full return to action but was again left out of the Wolves clash as Lampard sought to manage his recovery and fitness.
However, the Frenchman, along with Mount and Silva has returned to training but it remains to be seen if they will be available for Chelsea when they take on Real Madrid this midweek.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid reach agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Bellingham, medical to follow
In a huge development, David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement over the transfer of midfield sensation Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old prodigy had become one of Los Blancos’ main priorities for the summer transfer window and the club had been working on a deal for him for months now.
And after seeing off competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, the Merengues managed to reach an agreement with Bellingham over personal terms last month.
Talks with Dortmund were put on hold until the Bundesliga season was over, but things have accelerated in recent times. Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that positive talks had been held between the two clubs.
And now, Real Madrid have reached a total agreement with Dortmund for Bellingham’s signing. As per the report, the transfer fee for the teenage sensation will exceed €100 million, making it one of the most expensive operations in the history of both clubs.
The deal has not been signed yet, but it is considered only a mere formality at this point. Soon, the England international will undergo his medicals in the coming days as well before completing the transfer to Real Madrid.
Bellingham might not be the only Englishman to end up at the Spanish capital this summer as Los Blancos also have their sights set on a move for his national team captain, Harry Kane.
Indeed, the 29-year-old Tottenham Hotspur superstar is a primary target for Real Madrid as a replacement for Karim Benzema, who completed his transfer to Al Ittihad. The Merengues are understood to be preparing an €80 million offer for him, but it could fall short of Spurs’ valuation.
