Real Madrid News
Real Madrid looking for a player to replace legendary veteran – report
Following a long break in club football, Real Madrid restarted their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid, banking on a late brace by star player Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman, who has had a frustrating start to the 2022/23 season, scored two goals in quick successions to help Real Madrid seal all three points. Subsequently, he took his season tally to nine goals in all competitions and remains one of the most important players for Los Blancos.
However, according to Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid are in the process of finding new players in the market, who can serve as a replacement for Benzema. Although the Spanish journalist did not offer any names, in particular, it is apparent that the club are looking ahead to the future.
Benzema, despite his Ballon d’Or triumph recently, is currently 35 and will not serve for long. His current deal at Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of the season and although the forward is expected to renew his contract, Real Madrid must find a suitable successor sooner rather than later.
The Whites have recently invested heavily in Brazilian whizkid Endrick, but the Palmeiras sensation is not eligible to move to Europe until 2024. Even then, there will be doubts as to whether or not the youngster can get to grips with European football.
With that in mind, Real Madrid are keeping tabs on other options in the market. They are among the clubs interested in the services of Erling Haaland, but luring the Norweigian away from Etihad Stadium will be next to impossible at the moment.
Another option for Real Madrid could be Kylian Mbappe, but the PSG superstar is expected to cost a fortune. The club are also reluctant on going back into the market for the Frenchman, who had snubbed a move to the Bernabeu in the summer, in favour of a blockbuster deal at PSG.
Finding the right man to replace Benzema, therefore, is indeed a challenge for Real Madrid as they look to built the foundation for the future attack.
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.
Pat Grey
January 5, 2023 at 12:28 am
Real Madrid must try by all means to find Benzema’s understudy and subsequent replacement before it’s too late. They must do so as early as possible to avoid a goal scoring deficit before the end of the current season and in the next, as Benzema is clearly getting tired now on the pitch.