Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder will complete his €8 million transfer to La Liga club tomorrow – report
Journalist Rodra has confirmed that Real Madrid’s 21-year-old midfielder Sergio Arribas will travel to Almeria tomorrow to seal his permanent move for a deal worth €8 million, with Madrid retaining 50% of the player’s rights.
The journalist writes that at Almeria, the youngster will earn more than €2 million per season, which is, in fact, four times more than what he used to earn at Real Madrid Castilla.
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It is no secret that although Arribas is rated highly at Real Madrid, there would have been no place for the 21-year-old in the senior team next season mostly because Carlo Ancelotti already has his starting squad fixed.
This is why the Spanish capital club were rushing to find a solution for Arribas.
Real Madrid had been demanding €10 million in exchange for 50% of his rights, but have now settled for a sum slightly lower than that.
There was no shortage of suitors
Interest in Arribas had been gathered steam since the beginning of 2023. Apart from Almeria, the 21-year-old had the option to sign for a bigger team in Sevilla, but the Europa League title holders asked him to wait until the end of the window.
Neither Madrid nor the player were willing to take the unnecessary risk and the midfielder, in particular, wanted to sign for a team before the new season begins, which is why the negotiations fell through.
It is said that almost every La Liga team, except for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, expressed interest in Arribas.
Both Real Madrid and the player anyway preferred a team from Spain, a team with possession-based football in particular.
Arribas was quite clear about his demands, he wanted to have his future resolved this week and it has been fulfilled by Real Madrid.
Real Betis made a last-ditch attempt as well but it all came down between Sevilla, Mallorca, and Almeria.
Out of those, Almeria and Mallorca were said to be the strongest options due to Sevilla’s limitations and the former walked out with the player’s signature after agreeing to pay €8 million.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
