Real Madrid News
Real Madrid among top clubs interested in £150 million-rated Premier League superstar
The summer transfer window later this year is set to be a crucial one for Real Madrid as they look to address some gaping holes in their squad.
As has already been well-established, a new top centre-back and a midfielder capable of organising and dictating play have been identified as priorities for the summer.
However, there could be more additions depending on how the season ends as well as any potential departures from the club once the transfer window is open.
Cole Palmer on Real Madrid’s radar
In that regard, English journalist Samuel Luckhurst reports that Real Madrid are among the clubs showing an interest in Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is understood to be growing unsettled with life at Stamford Bridge, and as such, he could seek an exit in the summer even though he has a contract with the Blues until 2033.
Valued at £150 million, Palmer is said to be attracting interest from Real Madrid as well as Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
The ongoing campaign has been a frustrating one for the former Manchester City ace as multiple injury issues have restricted him to only 25 appearances in all competitions, in which he has recorded ten goals and three assists.
While there are no doubts about Palmer’s quality and pedigree, Real Madrid are not in need of signing another attacking midfielder at this point.
The Merengues already have Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, and Franco Mastantuono, all of whom operate in similar positions to Palmer.
Moreover, Real Madrid are also set to re-sign Nico Paz from Como for just €9 million. So, spending an enormous amount of money on Palmer, at this point, does not really make sense for the La Liga behemoths.
So, any talk of interest in the England superstar from Real Madrid should be taken with a pinch of salt. In case of an exit, a move to Manchester United could seem more likely.
Real Madrid News
Mbappe’s commitment to Real Madrid questioned amid claims he was ‘more focused on the World Cup’
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is always in the spotlight for one reason or another, which is common for a player of his stature.
He has found himself at the centre of fresh debate in Spain, with questions being raised over whether the French superstar is sufficiently focused on Real Madrid.
This is a criticism that has followed him quite a bit since his move to Spain, but Mbappe’s goalscoring numbers simply cannot be criticised.
Questions raised over Mbappe’s priorities
Speaking on El Partidazo de COPE, journalist Juanma Castano discussed the perception surrounding Mbappe.
He suggested that there are people who believe the forward’s priorities have not always been completely aligned with those of Madrid.
“They see him as more committed to himself than to Real Madrid,” Castano said.
The criticism then went further, with the World Cup in the summer also mentioned as a potential factor behind the perception.
“They saw him as more concerned about the World Cup than about the end of the season,” he added.
Those are serious claims to make about a leading player at Madrid whose performances on the pitch have hardly ever dipped.
A serious accusation at Real Madrid
Nothing in Castano’s comments proves that Mbappe deliberately placed France or his personal objectives ahead of Madrid.
Mbappe’s quality is beyond question, and his importance to Mourinho’s attack makes him one of the players Madrid can least afford to have surrounded by doubts over commitment.
The Frenchman was suffering from a knee injury in the second half of last season. This kept him out of action for a few weeks.
Mbappe returned in style at the World Cup, winning the Golden Boot and obliterating all kinds of goalscoring records.
He has since continued in the same vein at the beginning of the season for Mourinho’s team and has been one of La Liga’s best attackers.
Mbappe’s best answer has to come on the pitch
Ultimately, this is the kind of debate Mbappe can shut down himself, not with words but with his performances on the pitch.
Madrid do not need their biggest star to abandon his ambitions with France. They need him to ensure complete commitment to the club when he wears Madrid white, and he has not given them any reason to doubt that.
The Frenchman will continue to be held to very high standards compared to some other players. He is currently recovering from injury and will hope to return to action soon.
It remains to be seen how Mbappe fares for the rest of the season and whether he can play a starring role in bringing silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
