Real Madrid News
Real Madrid players, manager have two objectives for the remainder of the season – report
When Dani Carvajal faced the press after Real Madrid’s painful defeat to Manchester City, he insisted that their season was still not over and called for his teammates to finish strong in the four league games to come.
“There are still games left, we will try to finish as high as possible in the league and respect our opponents.”
There may not be much on the line for Real Madrid in terms of the league, especially given that Barcelona won the title last week with their win over Espanyol. Yet, to finish the season on a high would be a morale booster for the players and its importance cannot be understated.
According to reports from AS, Carlo Ancelotti and the Real Madrid players have set certain objectives for the final four games to ensure that they do not slacken.
First, the team want to finish La Liga in the best possible position that they can. With the No. 1 slot already taken, they hope to get as close to the Blaugranas as possible and seal the second place.
Further, the Merengues wish to help Karim Benzema extend his goal tally, and in the process, beat Robert Lewandowski to the coveted Pichichi award.
With four games yet to be played, the Polish international is comfortably in the driver’s seat with 21 goals to his name. Benzema is in second place with 17 goals.
It is not entirely impossible for the Frenchman to claim the top scorer’s crown for the margin is just four goals. Moreover, Lewandowski is not in the best form and will even be without the services of key players like Pedri and Gavi this weekend.
On the league standings front, matters are far simpler. Real Madrid have a two-point lead over Atletico Madrid and just have to win their last four games to assure themselves of completing the objective.
Real Madrid have identified the midfield department as a key area of the squad that needs strengthening next year.
Having failed to sign Rodri this past summer, the Merengues understand that a major signing is necessary in the position.
Several names have already been linked as potential targets for the Spanish capital club, one of whom happens to be AFC Bournemouth rising star Alex Scott.
Indeed, Real Madrid have scouted the England international this season and are continuing to closely monitor his development in the Premier League.
However, competition for the 23-year-old midfielder’s services is already heating up.
AC Milan eye Alex Scott
Indeed, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t AS), Italian giants AC Milan have set their sights on Scott to replace Real Madrid legend Luka Modric next season.
Modric, at 41, is entering the final phase of his career and his contract with the Rossoneri stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
As such, the Serie A heavyweights will need to rope in a replacement and have seemingly identified Scott, who is also on Real Madrid’s radar, as an option.
Apart from AC Milan, even Chelsea and Liverpool have also shown interest in the 23-year-old England star, and might even be willing to make a move for him in January.
This complicates the situation for Real Madrid, who would ideally wait until the summer of 2027 to reinforce their midfield unit.
€50 million for Scott?
Furthermore, the report states that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around €50 million, a fee that could be an issue for AC Milan.
That figure, however, should not pose a challenge for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the increasing competition for the 23-year-old’s services could drive up the price further, making things complicated.
For now, though, Real Madrid’s interest in Scott has been limited to scouting and monitoring his progress and compiling reports on him.
Whether it translates into a formal approach and offer in the summer or in January itself remains to be seen.
