Real Madrid News
Real Madrid interested in Bayern Munich defender to replace Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy has been the first-choice left-back at Real Madrid for a few seasons now, especially after Marcelo’s tenure started to go south. The Brazilian ended up at Olympiacos in the summer of 2022, and is currently playing for his boyhood club Fluminense.
As for Mendy, the Frenchman is still a starter for Madrid, but his performances have been far from convincing. He is often criticised for not being offensively adept enough to help out Vinicius Jr on the left-wing, leaving the winger isolated against defences.
As such, Madrid have been considering selling Mendy in the summer, as per a report by Mundo Deportivo. Los Blancos are keeping tabs on several players to replace the 27-year-old, including Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.
Madrid have been keeping an eye on Davies’ situation over the past few years since his breakthrough season in 2019/20 as the Bavarian side went on to life the treble.
Davies has since established himself as one of the best left-backs in Europe, even though he started his career as a right-winger. This season alone, he has one goal and four assists in 22 appearances in Bundesliga.
His contract with Bayern expires in the summer of 2025, and it would be nearly impossible to acquire his signature. The Bundesliga giants are more than keen on retaining his services for the next few years.
They have recently gone under managerial transition as well, with Thomas Tuchel replacing Julian Nagelsmann as the head coach of the team. The former Chelsea boss will be looking to using Davies as part of his team for this season and beyond.
Madrid are, therefore, also looking at other players they could sign instead of Davies. Valencia’s Jose Gaya is on the list while Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is being considered as the long-term right-back solution.
Real Madrid have officially announced the first departure of the 2022/23 season as Marco Asensio leaves the club on a free transfer. The Spaniard was part of the Madrid setup for eight years, and leaves with three Champions Leagues and La Ligas to his name.
With Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Eden Hazard in the team, Asensio was the only winger in the team who preferred to play on the right rather than on the left. His left-footedness was also crucial for this.
Madrid will now have to assess the market for replacements, even though they will be handed one themselves in the summer in the form of Brahim Diaz. The Spaniard finishes his loan spell at AC Milan in the summer, and will return to Madrid.
Madrid will have to make a final call on his future, but as of now, are ready to discuss a new long-term deal for and with Diaz, as per a report published by Fabrizio Romano. The extension will be valid until 2027.
Diaz, now 23, initially joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in 2019, completing a €18 million move in the search of game-time. Six appearances in six months later, though, he moved to AC Milan on loan, and has been there since.
However, getting him to stay at Madrid will be difficult, as the player evidently wants to continue at Milan for the foreseeable future. He even suggested his desire to continue in a recent interview.
“I’m happy here at Milan. I feel very good at this club, then I don’t know what is going to happen. I kissed the badge because that’s what I felt at that moment,” he said.
They want him to replace Asensio at the Santiago Bernabeu, but will not force him to stay if he wants to leave.
