Real Madrid News
Real Madrid make inquiry for Bayern Munich defender, player wants to play as a CB
Real Madrid have already started their big 2023 summer window clearout, with several players having already left the club in the last two days. Their rollout started with Marco Asensio, eventually leading to Mariano Diaz and Eden Hazard on the same day.
Then the big one came, as Karim Benzema announced his decision to leave the club since his contract is up this summer. The Frenchman is expected to join Al-Ittihad on a €400 million deal, plus privileges.
In the coming days, they could announce departures for Dani Ceballos and Nacho as well, both of whom become free agents this summer.
Evidently, defence is not Madrid’s biggest priority. While they potentially need a new left-back, especially if Ferland Mendy stays, the rest of the backline is pretty much sorted for the next season.
As such, it is surprising to see Georg Holzner’s (h/t MadridXtra) report saying Real Madrid have made an inquiry to sign Benjamin Pavard in the summer. The Frenchman becomes a free agent next year, and could potentially be sold this summer.
While Pavard has largely played as a centre-back for Bayern through his tenure, he no longer wants to continue in that position. He wants confirmation from his next club that he will be deployed as a centre-back.
Before joining Bayern, Pavard almost exclusively played as a centre-back for Stuttgart, but was extensively used on right for the French National Team. He also won the 2018 World Cup as a starter for France in that position.
Real Madrid are not the only club interested in the 27-year-old, though. Barcelona also have the player on their radar for the summer, while Manchester City and Manchester United are also considering a move this summer.
Pavard has scored four goals this summer for Bayern across 30 Bundesliga appearances, while setting up a solitary teammate.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
