Real Madrid News
Real Madrid monitoring Osasuna forward as short-term fix for Xabi Alonso
According to a fresh report from Fichajes, Real Madrid may be planning a surprise move in the upcoming transfer window, with Osasuna striker Ante Budimir emerging as a serious candidate to reinforce their frontline.
Though the Croatian forward’s name might not resonate like that of a global superstar, the interest signals a clear tactical direction under incoming manager Xabi Alonso, one focused on balance, efficiency, and squad harmony.
Even though Alonso’s appointment has yet to be made official, the former midfielder is already shaping Madrid’s summer blueprint. One of his earliest and most notable requests to the club’s sporting leadership is the addition of a traditional number nine.
With no pure number nine in the squad, the need for a dependable striker who can provide goals, physical presence, and tactical flexibility has become evident. Budimir, who has just completed a career-best season with 24 goals for Osasuna, fits that mould perfectly.
A short-term fix
At 33, Budimir brings experience and positional discipline, two qualities Madrid’s bench could use. While players like Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe offer explosiveness and creativity, none of them replicate the profile of a classic poacher or target man.
Budimir’s strength in the box, aerial ability, and willingness to play a supporting role without disrupting the dressing room dynamic make him a cost-effective and strategically valuable asset.
Budimir would not be brought in to lead the line every week, but rather to offer a plan B, someone who can come off the bench, change the shape of a match, or cover in rotations without sacrificing quality, something that Joselu did.
In essence, this move suggests that Alonso values structure as much as star power. Budimir’s potential arrival would underline a pragmatic approach that seeks to balance flair with function.
It is not just about collecting stars, but about building a team that can win in more ways than one, and in Budimir, Madrid may have found a smart, affordable solution to an important tactical need.
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.
