Real Madrid News
Real Madrid closely tracking Premier League duo at the World Cup
Real Madrid have a rich history of splashing the big bucks on players who star at World Cups. The likes of Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Mesut Ozil, James Rodriguez and Thibaut Courtois are some of the names that Los Blancos signed in the transfer windows immediately after a World Cup.
So, with the quadrennial football event underway in Qatar currently, Real Madrid are once again keeping their eyes glued to the tournament to identify and sign the next breakout World Cup star.
And according to a report from SPORT, Real Madrid have their sights set on Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka and Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot at the World Cup and are closely watching their performances.
Both players have been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in the past, although it has not materialised into something significant. But, as per the report, Los Blancos are monitoring both Saka and Dalot at the World Cup.
Saka has already made a splash at the World Cup, bagging two goals in England’s thumping 6-1 win over Iran on Monday. The 21-year-old’s contract with Arsenal expires in 2024 and the Gunners are believed to be ready to hand him a new deal.
Carlo Ancelotti has alternated between Rodrygo and Federico Valverde as his options on the right flank. But with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the final phase of their careers, Valverde will have to move to his natural midfield role moving forward, paving the way for a winger like Saka to arrive.
As for Dalot, he is in the final year of his contract at Manchester United, although the Red Devils have the option to extend it by twelve months, which they are expected to trigger. But, nonetheless, Real Madrid have the Portuguese right-back on their radar as a possible long-term heir to Dani Carvajal.
Apart from the duo, Real Madrid are also tracking priority target Jude Bellingham, who starred in England’s win over Iran alongside Saka.
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.
