Real Madrid News
PSG midfielder cites desire to play for Real Madrid amid exit rumours
Following a disappointing season, Paris Saint-Germain are set for a massive overhaul in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club are expected to offload multiple unwanted stars in an attempt to press the reset button and start from scratch, possibly under new leadership as the Mauricio Pochettino and Leonardo Araujo duo has clearly failed to offer the desired impact.
As such, we could witness a mass exodus in the summer, with Leandro Paredes among the players linked with a move away from Parc des Princes, along with other stars such as Gini Wijnaldum and Abdou Diallo.
Speaking to TyC Sports in a recent interview (h/t Fabrizio Romano), Paredes was asked about his future. The midfielder raised a few eyebrows with his comment on Real Madrid.
The former AS Roma starlet heaped praise on the recently crowned Spanish champions, stating: “I’d love to play for Real Madrid one day, it’s a top club”.
However, the Argentine international added he is happy with his life at PSG and has no immediate wish to leave the French capital. The midfielder also suggested how he is valued by the club and Pochettino, despite exit rumours.
“I respect Paris Saint-Germain and I’m more than happy here. Every year they say on the press I’m gonna leave PSG… but I’m happy here. The club wants me, Pochettino too,” said the midfielder.
Real Madrid have shown no ambition to sign Leandro Paredes in the coming summer. But it appears they should not have much difficulty agreeing personal terms with the Argentine, who is keen on plying his trade at the Bernabeu.
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos nearing the final phase of their respective careers, one would argue Real Madrid require reinforcements in the midfield unit.
But it is unlikely they will make a move for Paredes, as Los Blancos are currently looking for younger individuals such as Aurelien Tchuameni, who can become the face the of the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come, alongside Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane’s signing could complicate Real Madrid’s plan to sign Erling Haaland in 2024
Those sitting in the Real Madrid offices are aware that the team needs an emergency number 9. In this context, manager Carlo Ancelotti has already affirmed that they are working on some targets, although he decided not to reveal any names.
Now, what makes this operation trickier is that Madrid already have Erling Haaland on their agenda. The Manchester City forward is billed for the summer of 2024, meaning that any signing Madrid make this year will be extremely short-term.
A couple of days back, we reported that Ancelotti has made the signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane his priority. The manager is of the idea that the England international will be the ideal candidate to provide competition to Benzema, whose physical fitness is now deteriorating.
As far as Kane is concerned, the Tottenham forward is rightly expected to leave and fellow Premier League side Manchester United happen to be interested in his acquisition as well.
It is not really difficult for Madrid to sign Kane, but the fact that Madrid already have Haaland in their plans is a problem, reports AS. At 29 years of age, Kane is not someone who would step down from his starting role when Haaland arrives.
Add to it the continuity of Benzema is yet another issue. All this means there is a high possibility that if Kane arrives, the team will overbook the number 9 position.
At the moment, there is a parade of names that Madrid are following, namely, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but nothing is certain at the moment.
What Madrid need is a short-term option, someone who is either willing to settle for a secondary role, even when Benzema leave/retires or is ready to come on a season-long loan to cover the position until Madrid sign Haaland in 2024. Either way, Harry Kane does not fit the bill.
