Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could return for Tottenham defender next summer after facing rejection
Real Madrid’s defensive options have been severely depleted following recent departures in the back line.
Former captain Nacho Fernandez concluded an immensely successful tenure in the Spanish capital, while Rafa Marin was not retained by Los Blancos and was instead sold to Napoli.
The Merengues were eager to bolster their defensive depth with the arrival of Leny Yoro, but their plans were thwarted when Manchester United swooped in to secure his services.
Now, with merely a few weeks remaining before the summer transfer window slams shut, Real Madrid continue to be linked with several top centre-back options.
Tottenham Hotspur reject Real Madrid
According to journalist Gaston Edul from TyC Sports (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Real Madrid reached out to the directors of the London club about signing ‘Cuti’ Romero, but their inquiry was met with a resounding ‘no.’
Meanwhile, in England, reports indicate that Tottenham Hotspur have set a staggering price for their star defender at €175 million.
This hefty valuation is likely designed to deter any potential suitors for the Argentine defender, with Real Madrid being one of the first to reconsider their interest.
Romero has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, known for his front-footed style of play and immaculate ball distribution.
His success on the international level with Argentina contributes to his high value, as he leapfrogged the Albiceleste to two Copa Americas and a historic World Cup triumph in the last few years.
Real Madrid will return for Romero next season
However, having strengthened their attack with several high-profile signings, Real Madrid continues to view Romero as a potential future acquisition.
Indeed, other media outlets report that Real Madrid will attempt to sign Romero, but not for the current season—targeting a move for the next one instead.
It remains to be seen if Los Blancos turn their attention toward other centre-backs, but for now, the possibility is slim, especially after coach Carlo Ancelotti professed that no more signings will be made.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
