Real Madrid News
Real Madrid monitoring the transfer market for a new right-back
Real Madrid have not had the best of starts to the year so far. Following a nervy 1-0 win over Cacereno in the Copa Del Rey, the reigning Spanish champions succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Villarreal tonight.
The defeat puts questions on the overall strength of the team, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti dealing with a severe lack of options in some areas of the pitch. According to Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Xtra), Real Madrid have identified the right-back as one of the problem areas.
As such, the Spanish giants are in the market for a new right-back in the ongoing January transfer window. This comes as no surprise as the club have a dearth of reliable options in the position.
Dani Carvajal is currently the first-choice right-back and has been a great servant for the club over the years. But at the age of 30, Real Madrid require a long-term successor one way or another, especially with Ancelotti lacking a proper alternative in the first team.
Real Madrid have had no shortage of potential targets in the market, though. The club have been linked with moves for players such as Pedro Porro, Joao Cancelo and Malo Gusto, among many others. They have all been identified as a replacement for Carvajal, who has also had struggles with injuries during his time at Santiago Bernabeu.
The Whites does have the option of promoting the talented Vinicius Tobias from the youth squad. But Carlo Ancelotti has historically put very little faith in young talents. As such, the club are keeping their eyes open in the current market and it will not come as a surprise to see them pouncing on an economic opportunity.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
