Real Madrid News
Real Madrid monitoring €45 million-rated PSG defensive target – report
According to Santi Aouna on Footmercato, Real Madrid are monitoring Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, who is also on the radars of Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Inacio is a product of the Sporting youth academy and has grown into a permanent fixture in the defensive line for Ruben Amorim’s side despite being just 21 years old. The young centre-half has already accumulated 110 appearances for the Portuguese club, 40 of which have come this term.
Inacio also made his debut for the Portuguese national team last week and has now featured twice for the European giants. Given his youth, potential and the level of experience he has already gathered, the defender has popped up on the radars of top teams across Europe.
PSG, who are in the market for defensive reinforcements, are keeping tabs on Inacio, but Real Madrid are also understood to be monitoring the 21-year-old Sporting mainstay.
Los Blancos have Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Nacho as options in the centre-back department, along with Jesus Vallejo. The latter hardly plays while Nacho is being used as a full-back. Furthermore, his contract also expires at the end of the season.
And with Rudiger and Alaba into their thirties, a new, young centre-back signing could be the right move for Real Madrid, albeit not a priority at this point.
Nonetheless, they are keeping tabs on Inacio, while the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Antonio Silva are also on the radars of the Spanish and European champions.
Inacio’s contract with Sporting CP runs until 2026 and has a release clause worth €45 million and the Portuguese club are pointing his suitors towards that valuation.
It seems unlikely that Real Madrid will go after Inacio this summer, with reports suggesting that there will not be a major outlay in the summer. Jude Bellingham could, thus, end up being the only notable arrival, although there is no guarantee that the deal will go through as of yet.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star Huijsen credits Mourinho for improved form in new season: ‘He supports me a lot’
Real Madrid will be looking to get back to winning ways in LaLiga as they take on Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The club are coming on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis last weekend but did secure a narrow win over Inter Milan in the midweek Champions League fixture.
Heading into this game, Dean Huijsen, who has been showing a lot of promise in these early parts of the season, spoke to the club’s official media about the match ahead and how Real Madrid have been coping with the pressure early on, among other things.
Huijsen on Rayo and his defensive duties
The young centre-back was fully aware of the threat posed by Rayo and praised the opposition.
“We know that Rayo is a good team, and it’s a tough team to face, and we must give our all as we do in all matches to secure the three points, that’s the only thing that matters, and for the Bernabeu to be with us and for us all to be united,” he said.
He also detailed the defensive demands placed on him by the coaching staff led by Jose Mourinho.
“Well, what every coach asks of you: ferocity, intercepting balls, and winning one-on-one duels. He supports me a lot, and I think this helps me greatly, and defending together as a team,” he said.
On the team’s preparations for the fixture, Huijsen offered an insight into their training routine.
“We’re working on some tactics related to the opponent. And well, after that it depends on the day; we might play a mini-match among ourselves or not,” he added.
Huijsen on Mourinho and his fine form
The Spaniard was quick to credit Mourinho, with whom he previously worked at Roma, for his development and current level.
“We’ve known each other for a while, even though we spent a relatively short time together in Rome. He gave me the opportunity to make the real leap into professional football, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that,” Huijsen said.
Reflecting on his own performances, the defender was in confident mood, once again pointing to the influence of his coach and teammates.
“I think I’m in good shape. Well, I think I’m delivering a good level, and I believe that’s thanks to the coach too, as he keeps track of me and takes great care of me.”
“Well, I’m also doing my very best, and I think the teammates are supporting me too, and this is the perfect equation,” he added.
Finally, Huijsen explained how he manages his recovery amid a congested schedule.
“There are a lot of matches, so we need to recover well and stay focused on football, then you have to sleep well. And yes, on the days after the match, I also take a cold shower and a hot shower to recover better,” he concluded.
