Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ‘like’ La Liga midfielder, but is not a priority for the summer
Gabri Veiga has been linked with a move to Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window after his explosive performances for Celta Vigo in the ongoing campaign.
The 20-year-old midfielder is enjoying a fine breakthrough season with the Galician outfit, having produced a return of nine goals and four assists from 28 appearances in La Liga this term.
Given his breakthrough and the fact that Real Madrid are in the market for a new midfielder this summer, it was claimed that the Spaniard was a player that Los Blancos were looking at and would be paying close attention to this past weekend when they played Celta.
However, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Veiga is ‘well-liked’ by Real Madrid officials, but they are not considering the signing of the 20-year-old as a priority this summer. Instead, their main target to reinforce the midfield remains Jude Bellingham.
It is no secret at this point that the reigning champions of Spain and Europe are pushing to sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Real Madrid face competition for the England international from Manchester City, who coincidentally are also interested in Gabri Veiga as well.
As well as the Celta Vigo midfielder has done this season, Los Blancos are not looking at him as a priority target at the moment even though he would be available for only €40 million – the value of his release clause.
Signing Bellingham remains the Merengues’ main objective. But that operation is unlikely to come cheap as Dortmund are demanding a sum of around €150 million for their midfield gem.
With Manchester City also in the picture, it remains to be seen if Real Madrid are successful in their pursuit of the teenage midfield prodigy or whether they are forced to turn their attention to alternatives such as Veiga.
Real Madrid News
La Liga icon tears into Real Madrid forwards after Rayo Vallecano win: ‘This isn’t competitive’
Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano may have delivered another three points, but Santiago Canizares believes the result is hiding a problem that could eventually cost Jose Mourinho’s side against stronger opposition.
The former Spain and Valencia goalkeeper was particularly critical of Real Madrid’s work without the ball, arguing that their attacking players are not doing enough defensively.
His comments came after a match that produced two very different versions of Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Canizares questions Real Madrid’s defensive effort
Mourinho? No—the issue is not the manager. Madrid produced a brilliant first half, scoring three times and earning an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Yet the mood changed dramatically after the interval, when Rayo caused problems, and the home crowd eventually responded with boos.
The La Liga icon believes that contrast exposes a tactical weakness rather than being simply an off-day.
“Madrid have one thing – the best quality a team can have – and that is effectiveness; there’s no doubt about that,” he said, before adding that “if a team wants to be the best in Europe, it has to be able to play in different styles.”
For Canizares, the biggest concern starts with Real Madrid’s forwards.
“When they don’t have the ball, what the strikers do is appalling. It’s contagious.
“One looks at the other, the other looks at the other, and thinks, ‘Ah, well, if he’s not moving, neither am I’,” he argued.
A warning beyond the Rayo result
Notably, that lack of pressure can leave the rest of the team exposed. The midfield is forced deeper, the defence becomes easier to reach, and opponents are given opportunities that should not exist in the first place.
“The team falls apart; the midfielders have to drop back, link up with the defence, and any team can create chances against Real Madrid.
“This isn’t competitive, and it needs to be sorted out. If you don’t do this all year round, then on the day you actually have to do it, you might not do it quite right.”
That assessment is difficult to dismiss after what happened in the second half.
Rayo may have ultimately lost comfortably on the scoreboard, but Madrid surrendered the control they had established before the break.
Arda Guler provides a timely reminder
Arda Guler’s introduction was the biggest talking point in the game.
The Turkish midfielder helped restore some of Madrid’s attacking rhythm after Rayo had begun to gain confidence.
The 4-1 scoreline therefore gives Madrid the points Mourinho wanted, but not necessarily the complete performance he would have demanded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
