Real Madrid News
Real Madrid enter talks to sign €40 million La Liga midfield talent
According to journalist Tomas Gonzalez-Martin (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid held a meeting with fellow La Liga club Celta Vigo earlier today to discuss the transfer of midfield prodigy Gabri Veiga.
The 20-year-old has become one of the most sought-after young talents heading into the summer after an explosive campaign so far, in which he has scored nine goals in La Liga, along with assisting three more.
Veiga has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool, among others, while Real Madrid have also taken note of the young midfielder.
Los Blancos are set to refresh their midfield as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos enter the final phases of their respective careers.
Both are out of contract at the end of the season and even in case they renew, the duo is likely to continue for only one more season. And with Dani Ceballos’ contract also expiring this summer, Real Madrid could do with reinforcements in midfield.
Jude Bellingham remains the top target for the Merengues, but Veiga, too, is being pursued, independent of the interest in the former.
Earlier today, Celta Vigo president claimed that Real Madrid had not been in touch with the club over Veiga, while also confirming that he has a release clause in his contract, reported to be worth around €40 million.
Now, it seems that the reigning Spanish champions have held initial discussions with the Galician outift for Veiga.
Whether this leads to a more concrete approach and a transfer remains to be seen. It had been reported that Real Madrid would be unwilling to pay the entire €40 million release clause amount for Veiga, but they could reconsider their stance.
After a disappointing defeat to Real Betis, Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Tuesday night, following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
It was a tense game for Los Blancos, who had to hold on to their slender advantage in the last stretch of the game and were unable to score more goals after an early flurry that saw them gain a 2-0 advantage.
A worrying trend in front of goal
According to MARCA, Real Madrid lead all of Europe in big chances created with 27, but they also top a far less flattering chart, having squandered 19 of them.
That means Real Madrid are missing seven out of every ten clear opportunities they generate, the worst conversion rate on the continent.
Barcelona follow closely with the same number of chances created but a superior return, having wasted 15.
The issue has become a recurring theme in recent matches. Against Betis, Real Madrid dominated and accumulated three expected goals, including a penalty missed by Kylian Mbappe, yet still contrived to lose.
Against Inter, they again peppered the goal without the necessary precision to kill the game off.
Courtois to the rescue
The victory over Inter owed much to a superb performance from Thibaut Courtois, who produced several crucial saves to preserve the three points.
The two Real Madrid goals bore Mourinho’s trademark, both stemming from high pressing. Mbappe forced an error before finishing off Brahim Diaz’s assist, while Federico Valverde capitalised on hesitation from goalkeeper Josep Martinez.
However, having eased into a 2-0 lead, Real Madrid again passed up chance after chance, allowing Inter back into the contest through Lautaro Martinez’s late goal.
It must be noted Real Madrid had 35.6% possession against Inter ranking among the lowest recorded for the club in the Champions League.
For Mourinho, the ideal is clear: winning by finishing off the chances his side create. If Real Madrid can start converting at a rate befitting their creativity, they will become an even more fearsome proposition.
