Real Madrid News
Real Madrid are unsure about investing in Manchester City superstar – report
With growing doubts over Karim Benzema’s longevity, Real Madrid are facing a precarious situation, as far as the future of their strikeforce is concerned.
There is no doubt that the club are building the squad around Vinicius Junior, which is one of the reasons why they have refused to enter the pursuit of Rafael Leao. However, the club are also in need of a new number nine that can replace Benzema in the years to come.
Erling Haaland is among the players targeted by Real Madrid, especially amid reports that the Norwegian has a release clause in his Manchester City contract that can be activated in the summer of 2024.
However, according to Josep Pedrerol of El Chiringuito, Real Madrid do not look at Haaland that favourably, especially when it comes to the economic aspect of signing the Norwegian.
The Spanish giants believe signing Haaland will not offer them the same level of economic incentive as Kylian Mbappe, his great counterpart at Paris Saint-Germain. This means Real Madrid are not confident of recouping the investment in Haaland purely through commercial means.
The report from Pedrerol suggests Real Madrid are favouring a move for Mbappe in the long run. The Frenchman offers far more experience and has already surpassed 200 goals with PSG in all competitions.
While Haaland has performed at a higher level of the Premier League and has been scoring goals for fun at Manchester City, one could argue that Mbappe could be a better tactical fit at the Santiago Bernabeu, given Real Madrid’s style of football.
It must also be noted that the club’s chances of signing Mbappe could increase with each passing season as his current contract stands to expire in 2024.
The Frenchman may even look for an exit as early as the upcoming summer transfer window, especially if PSG once again fail to impress in the Champions League this season.
The reigning French champions have already slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie. They must overturn the slender deficit when they meet the German champions in the second leg, in order to advance further in the competition.
In a positive update, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is set to return from his injury by making an appearance for the Austrian national team against Estonia later tonight, confirms Sergio Quirante.
Alaba has been out of action for over a month now, after picking up an injury during Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Austrian international had been making progress in training at the club but was not ready in time for the Clasico against Barcelona on March 19.
Despite the injury, Alaba travelled to join the Austrian national team during the current international break.
And, according to the report from Sergio Quirante, the Real Madrid ace has good feelings after training with his national team. Having had several sessions under his belt now, the versatile defender is all set to make his return later tonight.
Austria will face off against Estonia in their second UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers Group F encounter later tonight and Alaba is in line to get some minutes against the minnows.
What remains to be seen is whether manager Ralf Rangnick opts to start the former Bayern Munich superstar on the night or introduces him as a substitute in the latter stages of the game.
Alaba’s imminent return will be good news for Real Madrid, who have a series of important matches coming up after the international break as they look to salvage their season.
Following the loss to Barcelona earlier this month, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now 12 points off the top of the table in La Liga and are pretty much out of the equation to retain the title. They are also training the Catalans 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals while Chelsea await in the Champions League quarter-finals.
