Real Madrid News
Real Madrid actively looking to sell out-of-favour striker and defender
Real Madrid got their important transfer business done very early this summer, securing the signings of Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Since then, the focus has largely been on player exits, with Isco, Marcelo and Gareth Bale leaving as free agents while Luka Jovic, Takefusa Kubo, Victor Chust and Mario Gila have all been sold.
The most recent exit from the Spanish capital club was that of Borja Mayoral, who has re-signed for Getafe on a permanent transfer after spending the second half of the last season on loan with the Azulones.
But, Real Madrid are still looking to offload two more players before the transfer window slams shut, reports AS. The two stars in question are Alvaro Odriozola and Mariano Diaz.
Odriozola is back at the Bernabeu after spending the last season away on loan at Fiorentina. The right-back was given some opportunities to make an impression on manager Carlo Ancelotti during the pre-season tour of the USA.
However, the former Real Sociedad ace failed to make the most of his chances, with Ancelotti deciding to stick with Lucas Vazquez as Dani Carvajal’s understudy while Vinicius Tobias will be the third-choice right-back. It has left Odriozola’s future in limbo and Real Madrid are actively looking to part ways with him.
Mariano, meanwhile, has entered the final year of his contract at the club. And despite Ancelotti’s insistence that he is not part of the plans, the 29-year-old is keen on staying put and seeing out his contract as he believes he can change the manager’s mind.
Mariano was overlooked by Ancelotti during the friendly against Barcelona when Karim Benzema was unavailable. The manager opted to play Eden Hazard as a false-nine instead of calling on the Dominican striker, indicating his status within the squad.
Fenerbahce were willing to sign him up, but Mariano turned down a transfer. There is interest from clubs in La Liga and Real Madrid hope to offload him at the earliest so that they can sign a new No. 9 to provide cover for Benzema.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
Edward
August 5, 2022 at 9:53 am
It’s a clear picture of giving mariano out and signing a new striker to replace Benzema