Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not ruling out summer move for 24-year-old La Liga breakout star
Real Madrid are planning some major moves in the summer transfer window after going through a rather underwhelming 2024/25 season.
The signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold is all but confirmed at this point while Los Blancos are also ready to move for Bournemouth and Spain centre-back Dean Huijsen.
Beyond that, a midfielder is also on the agenda with Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad being seen as a viable target despite Arsenal pushing for him.
Joan Garcia also on the agenda
On top of that, SER Deportivos now reports that Real Madrid are not ruling out a summer move for RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The 24-year-old Spanish ace has been one of the breakout stars in La Liga this season, playing a key role in Espanyol pulling themselves away from the relegation battle.
Real Madrid have Thibaut Courtois as their undisputed first-choice starter in goal with Andriy Lunin acting as an able backup.
However, the Ukrainian international could be on his way out in the summer, with his agent, Jorge Mendes, informing the club that the 26-year-old has several offers.
In case Lunin ends up departing, Real Madrid will need a replacement and Joan Garcia has emerged as an option.
The gold medallist at Paris Olympics last year, for his part, is believed to be open to embracing the challenge of competing with Courtois for the starting berth at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Garcia has a release clause worth €25 million in his contract at Espanyol, which could rise to €30 million if he earns a maiden call-up to the Spanish senior national team.
Much will depend on how the situation with Lunin evolves as well as the viewpoint of Xabi Alonso, who is tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the Real Madrid manager.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
