Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ace hailed as ‘one of the best in the world’ by Premier League midfielder
Speaking in an interview with Tuttosport (h/t Calciomercato), Tottenham Hotspur and Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has hailed Real Madrid star Federico Valverde as one of the best in the world in his role.
Valverde is enjoying a brilliant start to the 2022/23 campaign and has emerged as one of Real Madrid’s most important players alongside the likes of Vinicius Jr, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
In the absence of Karim Benzema due to injury issues, Valverde has shouldered a lot of attacking responsibility, and has already netted eight goals this season.
Named in the Uruguay squad for the FIFA World Cup, the 24-year-old will be a key part of the team in Qatar. And his national teammate, Bentancur has praised the Real Madrid ace ahead of the tournament, while insisting that La Celeste can have a great World Cup.
“In South America, football feels different than in Europe. For us, every minute is the last we live. I’m waiting for the start of this World Cup but without too much anxiety,” Bentancur said.
“Uruguay has Valverde who is one of the best in the world in his role. There is Suarez and Cavani too, we can have a great World Cup,” he added.
In 20 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid this season, Valverde has netted eight goals and set up four more. Uruguay will certainly hope that he can carry that form forward in the World Cup this month.
The 24-year-old has made 44 appearances for his country since making his debut in 2017 and has four goals against his name.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
