Real Madrid News
Real Madrid planning to announce their next summer signing today – Romano
While Joselu continues to be cryptic about his imminent transfer to Real Madrid, Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Spanish capital outfit plan to announce his signing later today before presenting him as their player tomorrow, i.e., Tuesday.
Reports of Real Madrid completing the signing of Joselu emerged this past weekend. The Merengues will be securing the 33-year-old striker’s services on loan for a season, having paid €500,000 in loan fees.
Furthermore, it is claimed that Los Blancos will have a non-mandatory permanent purchase option for the RCD Espanyol striker worth around €1.5 million.
When asked about his impending move to Real Madrid following Spain’s UEFA Nations League triumph over Croatia on Sunday night, Joselu said: “My transfer to Real Madrid? So now we can trust the internet?”
Despite his statements, Joselu is understood to have reached an agreement with Real Madrid over personal terms more than ten days ago.
And with the deal with Espanyol now understood to be completed and signed, his signing will be announced officially at some point tonight, before he is presented as a Real Madrid player in front of the media tomorrow.
Joselu will become Real Madrid’s third signing of the summer following Fran Garcia and Jude Bellingham, while Brahim Diaz has also returned to the club after three years on loan at AC Milan.
While it was expected that more signings could be on the horizon, it is now understood that Joselu’s arrival will be the final one for the summer at the Santiago Bernabeu, which might not please manager Carlo Ancelotti, who wanted a top-quality striker to replace Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
