Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder a doubt for Villarreal clash, likely to return vs AS Roma – report
Earlier today, Real Madrid issued an official statement confirming that club captain and key midfielder Federico Valverde had suffered an ankle injury.
The Uruguayan international has sustained a grade 3 ankle sprain as a result of a nasty challenge from Kang-in Lee of Atletico Madrid during the derby this past weekend.
While the club did not provide an official timeline on his recovery period, sources suggested that he is expected to be out only for a couple of weeks.
As such, the expectation would be that Valverde might be ready to return soon after the international break, when Real Madrid resume their campaign with a La Liga fixture against Villarreal.
Return vs AS Roma the more realistic target
However, according to the latest update from journalist Alberto Pereiro, as things stand, it appears extremely unlikely that Valverde could make his comeback against Villarreal.
As such, the idea within Real Madrid is for their club captain to be fully ready and return to action in the subsequent fixture against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League.
Los Blancos take on Villarreal on October 10 at the Santiago Bernabeu before flying to Italy to face Jose Mourinho’s former employers on October 14.
And, if everything goes according to plan, the idea is for Valverde to be ready and available for the trip to Rome, rather than the league meeting against the Yellow Submarine.
A key player for Mourinho
Coming into the new season, there were doubts and speculations about Valverde’s role as well as his future at Real Madrid, after an ordinary season which ended with him brawling with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.
But under Mourinho, the 28-year-old midfielder has become an integral part of the team, starting each of the Merengues’ eight matches across all competitions this season, even chipping in with a goal and an assist.
Valverde has remained a permanent fixture in the double pivot in midfield even as Mourinho has rotated his partners, with Bernardo Silva, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga all being tried.
However, the feeling is that the Portuguese tactician has yet to find his best partnership in midfield, especially considering that Real Madrid tend to lack the necessary control and creativity from the centre.
Real Madrid News
Manchester United launch final push to sign Real Madrid outcast; club resists permanent exit
Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Endrick as the Brazilian forward’s future at Real Madrid becomes increasingly uncertain, with a potential January loan move emerging as a solution to his lack of regular playing time.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Manchester United are making a final push to convince the 19-year-old to join them.
However, negotiations could prove complicated because the Premier League club is interested in including a purchase option in the deal, while Real Madrid are not currently planning to give up permanent control of the striker.
Endrick’s limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season have opened the door to a temporary departure, with AC Milan and Tottenham also emerging as potential destinations.
Why Manchester United want Endrick?
Manchester United are looking for greater attacking productivity and believe Endrick could provide a different dimension to their forward line.
The Premier League club has also been linked with the Brazilian in the past, as they assess options to improve their goalscoring output after a poor start to the season.
Notably, his situation at Real Madrid makes a move more plausible, as Endrick has struggled to secure consistent minutes, and the club is considering a loan that would give him the chance to play regularly.
However, United’s preferred terms could become the biggest obstacle.
The English side reportedly wants the option to buy Endrick at the end of the loan, potentially giving them a route to a permanent transfer if he impresses.
Real Madrid reject permanent Endrick exit
Real Madrid’s preference is understood to be a straightforward loan without a purchase option.
The club want Endrick to gain experience elsewhere before returning to compete for a place in the squad, rather than risk losing a young forward they have invested in for the future.
His previous loan spell at Lyon provides a possible model for another temporary move, although any agreement would depend on the terms offered and the player’s own preferences.
Manchester United are prepared to make an attractive financial proposal in an effort to secure his arrival, but money alone may not resolve the disagreement if Real Madrid remain unwilling to include a purchase clause.
