Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ‘obsessed’ with 16-year-old Chelsea, PSG target – Romano
It is no secret that Real Madrid need a centre-forward at the earliest. While the team have found alternate sources of goals in Karim Benzema’s absence this season, one cannot deny that they lack the cutting edge in the final third.
Moreover, with the French striker now close to the twilight of his career, the need is more than ever. Multiple reports have said that Los Blancos’ priority in the coming transfer window will be to reinforce the striker position, and Fabrizio Romano has shed more light on the same.
According to the Italian journalist, Real Madrid are pushing to sign Endrick. Romano insists that Los Blancos are ‘obsessed’ with landing the teenage sensation, along with two other clubs.
Real Madrid share a close connection with the Brazilian’s agent who also happens to be the agent of Vinicius Jr. The European Champions are obsessed with the wonderkid and are desperate to bring him to the Bernabeu at the earliest.
At just 16 years of age, Endrick has sent shockwaves with his performances for Palmeiras in recent years. He has scored three goals and an assist in just five appearances for the Brazilian side.
Real Madrid are just one of the multiple European clubs in the running for his signing. Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are some of the others with him on their wishlist.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are one of the favourites to sign the youngsters, but the likes of Chelsea and PSG pose a serious threat to their chances. It remains to be seen if the club push hard in the coming days to seal the deal.
Even if they do strike an agreement for Endrick, the teenager will only arrive at the club in 2024, when he turns 18 years old.
According to MARCA, Eder Militao is seen as the undisputed leader of the Real Madrid defence, thanks to his ‘impeccable’ level of performances. The 25-year-old’s standing in the team has forced a duel between David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the second centre-back slot.
Militao arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, joining from FC Porto in a deal worth €50 million. While he made a slow start to life in Spain, the Brazilian slowly grew in stature from his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao established himself as a permanent fixture in the backline for the Merengues and was a standout performer last season as they won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The 25-year-old has carried on in the same vein of form this season as well, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, even chipping in with six goals.
The Brazilian international is seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sharing that opinion.
“I may lose credibility if I say Vinicius and Militão are the best striker and defender in the world respectively but it’s the truth. I am honest. Militão lacks nothing,” he had said last month.
Militao is not only viewed as the leader of the Real Madrid defence, but has also grown into a leader within the locker room as well, with the player being loved and fully supported by his teammates.
Militao’s presence has meant that Alaba and Rudiger have had to battle it out for the lone centre-back slot. The former had enjoyed a stunning season last time out after joining from Bayern Munich in 2021, but has struggled with injuries and fitness problems this term.
As for Rudiger, the German arrived last summer from Chelsea and started out slow, but has grown in confidence and stature, especially in recent months. So much so that, his signing is already being regarded as a success within the club.
In Militao, Real Madrid undoubtedly have a long-term fixture at the heart of the defence. But with Rudiger and Alaba in their thirties, the Merengues must look to bring in one more player who can take over from them in the near future and can form a partnership with Militao.
