Real Madrid News
Real Madrid playmaker ruled out of Girona game – here’s why
Real Madrid’s title hopes suffered a massive blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mallorca. At the same time, Barcelona were able to secure a narrow win over Atletico Madrid.
The results this weekend mean Real Madrid are now trailing Barcelona by seven points, and every game from now on will be a must-win for Los Blancos if they are to stay in the title fight.
Real Madrid, though, will have to make do with one less attacker in their next league game against Girona.
Franco Mastantuono ruled out
Indeed, Real Madrid are set to miss out on the services of Franco Mastantuono for their next game against Girona.
That is because the Argentine international, who recently raised eyebrows by talking about Real Madrid target Enzo Fernandez, has picked up five yellow cards for the season.
His latest booking came in the defeat to Mallorca. Due to the La Liga laws regarding yellow card accumulation, the forward will have to serve a one-match suspension.
This would leave him out of contention for the Girona clash, although it is unlikely that he was going to be a part of the Real Madrid starting eleven anyway.
It must be noted that Mastantuono is still fresh from serving a two-match suspension in the league after picking up a red card against Getafe in March.
Since the turn of the year, the Argentine has barely played much football either, with new coach Alvaro Arbeloa focusing more on the likes of Vinicius Jr., Arda Guler and even giving opportunities to Brahim Diaz.
Missing out another match due to suspension doesn’t help the case for Mastantuono, who is having a difficult first season at the Bernabeu.
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.
