Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona transfer target would ‘love to stay’ at current club
With his Borussia Dortmund contract expiring at the end of the ongoing season, Youssoufa Moukoko has emerged as a transfer target for several top clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The forward, who turned 18 recently, has enjoyed a fine start to the 2022/23 campaign, bagging six goals and assists each from 22 matches in all competitions.
Moukoko’s form has earned him a call-up to the Germany national team squad for the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Talks about his future have been doing the rounds for a while now, with Real Madrid touted to be among the clubs interested in the teenage prodigy’s services.
Los Blancos do not have a natural cover for Karim Benzema in the centre-forward role at the Santiago Bernabeu and could look to invest in a young forward next summer, with Moukoko emerging as a transfer target.
Real Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona are also interested in the teenage striker as a potential backup option for Robert Lewandowski.
However, the 18-year-old, in a recent media interaction, insisted that he feels very comfortable at Borussia Dortmund and could stay put at Signal Iduna Park beyond the ongoing campaign.
“I feel so comfortable at BVB, I love the club. I’d really love to stay at Borussia Dortmund. I want to understand what kind of project and perspective the club will offer me, it’s an important point,” Moukoko told RND, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
While Moukoko insists that he wishes to continue at Dortmund, his reported wage demands of €7 million per year could still prove to be a stumbling block, which could leave the door open for other interested parties like Real Madrid and Barcelona to make a swoop.
The youngster is currently at the World Cup and will be focused on helping Germany after their defeat to Japan in the opener. As for his future, things could pick up pace once the tournament in Qatar is done and dusted.
Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid star will be fit for Valladolid clash despite national team withdrawal
Real Madrid have been greeted with some positive news on the injury front as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit and ready for the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Valladolid.
The 30-year-old custodian had flown away for national team duty with Belgium and played the full game against Sweden last week. However, the Real Madrid ace was sent back to the club over the weekend due to a minor adductor strain.
This raised concerns over the former Chelsea star’s condition, especially with a busy period lying ahead for the Merengues.
However, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic has eased any nerves surrounding his situation, reporting that Courtois was subjected to tests upon returning to Spain and there is no reason for worry.
The report states that Real Madrid expect their No. 1 to be fit and available for their next game which will be against Real Valladolid in La Liga on April 2, Sunday.
It is further stated that the knock Courtois sustained was not a new one and that the 30-year-old had felt discomfort in the same area during Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
Courtois has featured 32 times across all competitions this term, having missed a few matches due to fitness issues. He has managed just ten clean sheets and will be hoping to add to that against Valladolid, now that is reportedly fit to feature at the weekend.
In another boost, reports earlier today indicated that Toni Kroos does not have any injury after concerns were raised due to the midfielder doing individual training sessions over the past week.
