Real Madrid News
Real Madrid flop striker set to join Fiorentina on loan – report
Of all of Real Madrid’s failed transfers in recent years, Luka Jovic is definitely one of the most underwhelming. The Serbian international joined Los Blancos three years ago in a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt but has done nothing to justify his price tag.
With the champions of Europe gearing up for the next season with massive signings across departments, Jovic is seen as one of the players who can depart the club to balance the finances.
According to reports from Patrick Berger of SPORT1, the striker is close to joining Fiorentina on loan. This comes as a surprising piece of news as clubs like AS Monaco and Rayo Vallecano were the ones linked with Jovic’s name in recent weeks.
Joining Fiorentina will provide the player with the chance to test himself in a new league and make a fresh start to his career. However, he will face tough competition from the likes of Krzystof Piatek and Arthur Cabral, who have made a name for themselves in recent years.
Jovic made only one league start for Los Blancos last season. In 15 La Liga appearances, he scores one goal and provided three assists.
If the move to Serie A goes through, it would be Jovic’s second loan spell since joining Real Madrid. In 2021, he spent six months on loan at his former club Eintracht Frankfurt after repeated dismal performances for the Spanish side.
The striker’s contract in Spain sees him at the Santiago Bernabeu for six years since his signing in 2019. With three more years left on the deal, Jovic is under no pressure to force his way out of the club. Nevertheless, a positive loan spell could do a world of good to his confidence.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
