Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have no plans to renew midfielder, want to promote younger talent
As many as seven Real Madrid players are free to sign a pre-contract with a foreign team. This includes the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Nacho Fernandez, Mariano Diaz and a certain Dani Ceballos.
Among the aforementioned names, Ceballos is one of the most likely to depart in the summer as it is clear that his services are no longer required at the club.
Ceballos knows the situation is not ideal, but according to The Athletic, the midfielder has decided to wait as he hopes things might change as the season progresses.
The outlet further claims that Real Madrid do not wish to count on the midfielder moving forward mostly because they want to promote younger players from the academy who they believe have bright futures. And for that reason, they are willing to part ways with the player.
Ceballos has played just 13 games across all competitions for Real Madrid this season and out of those outings, he has been a part of the starting XI on just three occasions.
Managing a total of 368 minutes this season means that the player is aggregating just a little more than 28 minutes per game.
There were claims that Ceballos’ former side, Real Betis, where he came through the academy, might be interested in his acquisition. But that option is practically ruled out as he would have to take a big salary reduction to rejoin the Verdiblancos.
In fact, this is the only reason why most of the La Liga teams are not being explored by the player.
While the initial idea for the midfielder is to wait, he has made peace with the fact that if not for Real Madrid, he will have to explore the boundaries beyond Spain as he did during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons when he represented Arsenal squad on loan.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
