Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could pocket some cash from the sale of former striker – report
Once a beacon of brilliance on the field, Luka Jovic’s fall from grace was an unexpected blow for Real Madrid, who paid €60 million to Frankfurt in 2018 for the striker’s services.
Whispers of off-field distractions, injuries, and waning form forced Jovic to eventually close his chapter at Los Blancos by leaving for Fiorentina.
Real Madrid were compelled to sell the Serbian striker on a free transfer.
While the Royal Whites attempted to fetch a fee for him until the end, by allowing him to leave for free, they were saving themselves €30 million in wages.
Leaving as a free agent, despite initially being bought for a hefty price tag, Jovic ended up being one of the worst purchases in recent history for the Merengues.
Jovic’s sale may finally yield some money
Now, as per Mundo Deportivo, Jovic leaving Fiorentina is on the cards, and any potential transfer will indirectly benefit Real Madrid too.
Although the 25-year-old left Madrid on a free transfer, Real Madrid still negotiated 50 percent of the striker’s rights, so they would receive half of any future sell-on fee.
The report argues that Jovic could be on the exit ramp, but it is not something that is being considered at the moment in the Italian club’s hierarchy.
The right-footed centre-forward of La Viola has accumulated 13 goals in 45 games and intends to continue plying his trade in Italy.
In the event that a transfer opportunity comes his way, Madrid will, at last, yield a return on Jovic’s sale.
Any subsequent fee received would, in turn, help Madrid with Financial Fair Play and recruitment strategy, with Kylian Mbappe currently in the club’s crosshairs.
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”.
