Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not even ready to pay €58m for Chelsea forward, Arsenal also interested
Real Madrid have been preparing for a ‘revolutionary summer’ at the Santiago Bernabeu after the exits of four forwards within two days. A list that was headlined by Karim Benzema, but also featured Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard.
With the attacking quadrant out of the club now, Madrid are now looking at attacking reinforcements across Europe. Harry Kane is their primary target, but they also have their eyes set on the likes of Roberto Firmino, Joselu, and Kai Havertz.
Their pursuit of Havertz has not gone according to plan, though, as Chelsea have set a €60 million plus bonuses price tag on him. Madrid are not ready to succumb to the Blues’ demands, and were reportedly only ready to pay a maximum of €50 million, including add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Madrid are not ready to spend €58 million for the German’s services. Arsenal have also joined the race for his signature, but are also not ready to spend €87 million.
Havertz is keen on moving out of Stamford Bridge this summer and is ready to switch to Arsenal also.
Florentino Perez and Carlo Ancelotti are huge admirers of Havertz, and believe he could fit in perfectly at the club, but not as a no. 9. They think he is a player who thrives best between the lines.
Chelsea invested upwards of €85 million on Havertz, and will be looking to recoup as much of that money as possible this summer, especially with the need to clear out their squad.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid retain total confidence in Carlo Ancelotti despite derby disaster – report
Sunday night was a disappointing one for Real Madrid as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano.
The Merengues suffered their first defeat of the 2023/24 season as former striker Alvaro Morata scored a brace for the Rojiblancos while Antoine Griezmann was also on target.
Real Madrid might be feeling aggrieved by some of the calls made by the referee on the night but they were just not good enough to secure all three points at the Metropolitano.
Real Madrid retain full confidence in Ancelotti
Despite the disappointing performance and outcome, Real Madrid retain their full and total confidence in manager Carlo Ancelotti, reports Jose Felix Diaz (via RM4Arab).
There had been question marks about the team selection made by the manager for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
After all, the Italian opted to bench Joselu from the starting XI to bring in Luka Modric and shift the tactics.
Aurelien Tchouameni was also left out despite being one of the team’s strongest performers this season with Toni Kroos being preferred.
The Real Madrid hierarchy wishes for the manager to trust the next-gen midfield for the big games but Ancelotti’s selection indicated that he is still not ready to do so.
Despite there being some differences, the board retains full confidence in Ancelotti.
Ancelotti accepts blame for defeat
It was a disappointing performance from Real Madrid in their biggest test of the 2023/24 season so far and speaking after the match, manager Ancelotti accepted the blame for the outcome.
“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. It’s my fault,” Ancelotti said.
With the game done and dusted, Real Madrid now turn their focus towards producing a strong comeback when they face Las Palmas later this week.
