Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president blocked defender’s €30 million January exit – here’s why
It is known that Fran Garcia came closer than many realised to leaving Real Madrid during the January transfer window, but the move was actually stopped at the very top.
At the time, it was widely reported that Madrid rejected a significant offer from the Premier League, with squad depth cited as the main reason.
However, fresh details now reveal a very different story – one that revolves entirely around club president Florentino Perez and his long-standing transfer policy.
Bournemouth were interested
According to the latest information from Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Real Madrid received a €30 million bid for Garcia from Bournemouth.
The proposal was serious enough that the player himself was open to making the move, seeing it as an opportunity for more consistent playing time.
Crucially, the deal also had internal approval from the coaching side, as manager Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly gave the green light, signalling that Garcia’s departure would not disrupt the squad structure.
There was also a clear sporting reason behind Bournemouth’s interest, as their manager, Andoni Iraola, knows Garcia well from their time together at Rayo Vallecano and viewed him as a perfect fit for his system.
The Premier League side were keen to bring him in, even if initially only for the second half of the season. Yet, despite all parties aligning, the transfer never progressed.
So what happened?
The reason was Florentino Perez’s refusal to even consider the offer.
The Real Madrid president is known for maintaining strict control over transfer decisions, and in this case, he remained firm to his long-held philosophy – no squad changes during the January window.
“No signings and No departures in January,” is Perez’s strategy, which is why Garcia ended up staying at Real Madrid.
Right now, with competition from Ferland Mendy and the emergence of Alvaro Carreras, Garcia’s role has become increasingly limited, raising further questions about the decision.
Back then, Real Madrid refused to let him leave, but in the summer, they might look to cash in on him.
Real Madrid News
Ex-Real Madrid presidential candidate wanted to bring Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as manager
The presidential election at Real Madrid this summer was something unprecedented but despite the best efforts of Enrique Riquelme, he couldn’t do much to dethrone Florentino Perez.
That being said, some of Riquelme’s ideas have now become more relevant than ever, including his pitch to sign Jurgen Klopp as the new manager, instead of Jose Mourinho.
However, Riquelme wasn’t always in favour of Klopp and in fact, had initially pitched Mikel Arteta as the next manager for Real Madrid.
Riquelme had favoured Arteta
According to The Athletic, Riquelme had identified Arteta as a potential successor to then-coach Alvaro Arbeloa as part of his election campaign.
The context came amid Arteta’s own contract situation at Arsenal, with the Spaniard having just signed a new four-year deal following the club’s Premier League triumph.
The report notes that Real Madrid were the biggest club searching for a new coach at the time, and Riquelme saw Arteta as an appealing candidate.
Ultimately, though, Riquelme’s campaign shifted towards Klopp, while Perez, who won the election, opted to bring back Mourinho.
As a result, Arteta’s name never progressed beyond an early consideration, and the Spaniard remained fully committed to Arsenal, where he continues to build on his growing legacy.
Arteta has consistently dismissed interest from elsewhere, including links to Barcelona in 2024.
Mourinho has his work cut out
While Real Madrid ultimately chose Mourinho, the early signs suggest the Portuguese has a significant task on his hands.
Los Blancos have endured a stuttering start to the season, already sitting well behind runaway leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
Performances have been inconsistent, with the team lacking intensity and cohesion, and reports have even pointed to unrest within the dressing room.
That has inevitably led to questions over whether a different appointment, such as Arteta or Klopp, might have offered a smoother transition.
Arteta, in particular, has proven his credentials by ending Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title, doing so against a dominant Manchester City.
For now, Mourinho must find a way to turn things around and justify Perez’s faith. With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, including El Clasico, the pressure is already building.
