Real Madrid News
Real Madrid alert to Liverpool midfielder’s situation, willing to pay €90 million – report
It seems accepted at this point that Real Madrid will need a big-name midfield signing in the summer, exactly one year after being asked for the same requirement by Xabi Alonso.
As the former manager’s assessment rightfully pointed out, the club is struggling after the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric and do not have any players capable of filling their boots.
A controlling creative midfielder, thus, is seen to be the need of the hour, and Florentino Perez and Co. are alert to the market.
An admired option
As relayed by Defensa Central in a recent report, Real Madrid are eyeing Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai as an option to strengthen the midfield next summer, and the president is willing to go big for the Hungarian.
The player has no release clause in his contract and it will not be easy to sign him if Liverpool complicates matters. However, Los Blancos are willing to go as high as €90 million with their bid to sign him.
As it stands, the 25-year-old is at the top of Real Madrid’s list of desired targets for the summer and they see him internally as a technically gifted player who also brings physicality and goalscoring abilities.
Further, it must be remembered that the Hungarian signed for Liverpool at the request and admiration of Jurgen Klopp, the same manager who is seriously being linked with Real Madrid next summer.
The German tactician’s arrival, thus, is no longer a distant rumour and may well move towards reality should Klopp enter the scene.
So far this season, the 25-year-old has made 21 league appearances for Liverpool and has two goals and an assist to show in that duration.
In the UEFA Champions League, however, he has four goals and three assists in just seven appearances.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
