Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye shock January move for 28-year-old La Liga striker – report
According to a report from DAZN, Real Madrid are actively looking for attacking options in the upcoming January transfer window.
They are trying to find an alternative for Karim Benzema, who has had issues with injuries lately. In an attempt to find a solution in the market, Real Madrid have set their sights on Vedat Muriqi.
The Kosovan centre-forward currently plies his trade for RCD Mallorca, having joined the club permanently in a €7 million move in the summer.
Muriqi was a part of the Mallorca side since early 2022 when he joined the club on a short-term loan deal. He did not disappoint either, scoring five times in 16 league matches. This season, the forward has continued his progress, racking up eight goals in just 12 games.
Muriqi’s performances in La Liga have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs considering a move for the Turkish forward.
The tall frontman has been identified as the ideal alternative for Benzema, even more so because of his intimidating frame that would help him add a new dimension to the club’s attacking unit.
Muriqi, for his part, would be willing to don the Real Madrid kit, in what could be a major upgrade in his career. And at the age of 28, he is also at the peak of his powers.
However, luring Muriqi away from Mallorca might not be a straightforward task. The player is currently valued at €10 million, but the report suggests Mallorca could easily ask for a fee of around €20 million, which could prove to be a challenge for Real Madrid.
The Whites have spent a fortune on the imminent acquisition of Endrick recently, and the idea of signing another player could be a tall order for the club, especially in the January transfer window.
Furthermore, reports have indicated that Carlo Ancelotti & co. plan to see out the remainder of the season with no fresh additions in the winter. So, there is a chance that the links with Muriqi might not lead to anything substantial.
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
