Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender’s agent dismisses Saudi Arabia links: “It’s nonsense”
Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy finds himself the latest big-name player being linked with a summer transfer to Saudi Arabia.
The 28-year-old left-back had a frustrating campaign in 2022/23 bogged down by injuries and inconsistent form. It has given way to speculations over his future, with reports suggesting that Los Blancos are prepared to sell him this summer if a good offer arrives.
Amidst this, there have been suggestions that Mendy has emerged as a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia and has even received calls from the Middle East over a potential transfer.
But his agent, Yvan Le Mee, has dismissed the idea of his client leaving Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia, branding the speculations as nonsense.
“The Saudi Arabia and Ferland Mendy thing? No, there is nothing. New players are being announced every morning there who can play in Saudi Arabia. Soon it will be Mbappé in Saudi Arabia and so on,” Le Mee told L’Equipe du soir.
“There is nothing. Saudi Arabia is looking for all players, full stop. It’s nonsense. He’s at Real Madrid, it’s all good.”
Mendy arrived at Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon in 2019, with the club splashing €50 million on his signing. Having gradually taken over as the first-choice from Marcelo, the Frenchman enjoyed a solid few seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, the last season was a disappointing one for the 28-year-old as he spent most of it out on the sidelines and his performances when he was fit were far from the level expected.
Mendy still has two years left on his contract and a sale now would allow Los Blancos to recoup some of the €50 million that they spent on his signing. But judging by the left-back’s agent’s remarks, it appears that the player has no intention to leave the club at this moment.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
