Real Madrid News
Real Madrid make direct contact with World Cup-winning manager – report
In a major development, COPE (h/t RM4Arab) reports that Real Madrid have made direct contact with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni as the hunt for a new head coach for the summer steps up.
Club president Florentino Perez is exploring all his options as Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to be removed from his position as the first-team head coach at the end of the season.
Scaloni high on Real Madrid’s list
Following a disastrous second half of the season, where they crashed out of the Copa del Rey to a lower division outfit, fell 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, and got eliminated from the UEFA Champions League vs Bayern Munich, the change is imminent.
Arbeloa, despite having some support from the locker room, will not continue beyond this season.
Names such as Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, and even former boss Jose Mourinho have been doing the rounds as possible candidates to take over the reins.
However, Scaloni, too, is on the agenda, after the excellent job he has done with the Argentina national team, leading them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Now, it is being suggested that there have been direct talks between the Argentine manager and Real Madrid over the possibility of a move.
If Los Blancos do decide to go down this route, they would have to wait for Scaloni’s arrival until after the World Cup in North America, for he will be leading the Albiceleste at the tournament this summer.
Scaloni, though, has no experience managing a club, with his only assignment at a club level being a season-long tenure as the assistant manager at Sevilla.
So, it will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to take a bet on the 47-year-old to replace Arbeloa in the summer.
Real Madrid News
Arsenal in contact with Real Madrid forward’s camp over potential transfer – report
Doubts about Rodrygo Goes’ long-term future at Real Madrid having been growing for some time.
The Brazilian’s situation had become uncomfortable over the past couple of seasons as he experienced a sudden decline in form. And, just when it seemed like he was about to turn things around, an ACL injury ruled him out in March earlier this year.
With Rodrygo now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, his recovery will be crucial. He is expected to return in December or January, and the club will monitor how he responds physically before determining what role he will play under Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Rodrygo
Now, according to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Arsenal are in contact with Rodrygo’s representatives over a potential future move.
The report states that the Gunners had already attempted to sign the Brazilian before his injury, and their interest has now resurfaced ahead of a possible move in the summer of 2027.
The Premier League champions had also explored the possibility of signing Vinicius Jr. from Real Madrid this past summer, before he signed a new long-term contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, their attention seems to have switched Vinicius’ fellow Brazilian forward who is closing in on his return from the ACL rupture.
Real Madrid want to keep Rodrygo until the summer
As already reported, Rodrygo will not leave Real Madrid in January. The intention is for the winger to regain full fitness and become available to Mourinho for the second half of the season.
Real Madrid are not considering selling the former Santos wonderkid during the January transfer window.
Instead, the club intend to reassess his situation next summer, once he has had the opportunity to recover and demonstrate his form on the pitch.
The plan is to have the Brazilian fit and available for the second half of the campaign before making a final decision at the end of the season.
Rodrygo’s performances after returning from injury, together with Mourinho’s assessment of his role in the squad, will help determine what happens next.
Depending on those factors, Real Madrid could consider allowing him to leave or decide that he still has an important future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
For now, Arsenal’s interest remains a possibility to watch, but Real Madrid are focused on Rodrygo’s recovery rather than negotiating a January departure.
