Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder’s agents were contacted by Barcelona, Bayern through third parties
Real Madrid have reportedly called Dani Ceballos to initiate talks of a renewal earlier this week. The Spanish midfielder has impressed Carlo Ancelotti with his recent form, and in the process, earned the extension.
His future now appears set at the Santiago Bernabeu, at least for the next few years. However, his continuity at the club was not as clear even a month back and it is not surprising that many of Europe’s elite saw his availability as a golden opportunity.
According to reports from AS, clubs like Bayern Munich contacted Ceballos’ agents through third parties to get in touch with the player and convey their interest in his profile. A few months ago, arch-rivals Barcelona made the same move without any official contact.
Ceballos has no dearth of experience in La Liga in his career so far and it is not surprising that the Blaugranas were interested. In fact, they were not the only side as Valencia also contacted him with similar intentions.
However, none of those contacts led to anything concrete, and the midfielder will now give priority to renew at Real Madrid.
Another of Ceballos’ primary options had Real Madrid not offered him an extension was to return to Real Betis. After all, he spent most of his early footballing years at the Benito Villamarin.
However, that too is reportedly no longer an option. Given the financial struggles Real Betis are faced with, signing Ceballos will only remain a dream given his high wages.
Los Blancos finally wrapped up the renewal of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric also looks set to sign a new deal. They can now focus their attention on the other players running out of contract.
Given that talks with Ceballos have already been initiated, one can expect rapid developments in the coming days. A lot, needless to say, will depend on the role Real Madrid are willing to offer in the team.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
