Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president could end Harry Kane pursuit to sign €180m superstar in 2024
For as big a club as Real Madrid are, the financial limits apply equally to them. The Merengues, just like any other club in the world, have restrictions over their expenditure which force them to prioritise and make harsh decisions.
According to reports from Alfredo Matilla, Florentino Perez is about to make one such course-altering decision ahead of the 2023-24 campaign and Carlo Ancelotti is not very happy with it.
Harry Kane has been Real Madrid’s top target since Karim Benzema announced his departure. With no central striker in their ranks, the need for an able finisher is dire.
The situation has changed and Perez no longer prioritises the English striker’s arrival this summer. According to the journalist, the president wishes to wait for another season and directly pursue Kylian Mbappe as a free agent in 2024.
There is belief in the offices at the Santiago Bernabeu that the Frenchman will not extend his deal with PSG until 2025 and that he will be willing to join Los Blancos next summer. In fact, the report adds that Mbappe is sending signals that give Perez hope.
From the time the World Cup winner’s move to Real Madrid broke down in 2022, people from the administration have been in constant contact with the player and his entourage. Finally, it appears to have come to fruition.
Perez thus sees a massive investment in Harry Kane now to be unnecessary. Ancelotti, however, is surprisingly not a fan of the idea.
Looking ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, Real Madrid have only Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes to count on in the final third.
The club will undoubtedly sign a low-cost replacement striker this month, but that will not be enough to steer the ship for a club of Los Blancos’ stature for an entire season.
However, it seems like the club president might decide against going after Kane as he has a strong desire to sign Mbappe next year.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid full-back never considered summer exit, would retire at club if given chance
Ferland Mendy finds himself in a difficult situation at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has struggled with injury and fitness woes for a large part of the past year, leading to doubts over his future at the club.
In fact, it had been reported that Los Blancos were considering selling Mendy during the summer transfer window earlier this year itself.
But, such a move did not materialise and the 28-year-old has stayed put at the Santiago Bernabeu although reports suggest that he is likely to be on the move next year.
Mendy would retire at Real Madrid if he could
Despite there having been numerous reports about his future in the summer, The Athletic reports that Mendy did not consider the possibility of an exit at any point.
In fact, the report adds that if given a chance, the 28-year-old defender would retire at Real Madrid.
Mendy’s contract with Los Merengues expires in 2025 and he is understood to be seeking a renewal for a while now, but there has been no move made by the club.
The injuries that the 28-year-old has picked up are understood to be a major deterrent for Real Madrid, which is why they are already looking to reinforce the left-back position with Alphonso Davies next year.
Mendy enjoys Ancelotti’s trust
Despite the non-stop speculations surrounding him, Mendy continues to enjoy the full trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Indeed, as per the report, the Italian tactician has informed the Frenchman that he is the left-back that best fits the defensive requirements needed in the team.
Ancelotti’s decision to bench Fran Garcia in the UEFA Champions League game even though Mendy was unavailable and start David Alaba at left-back was taken as an indicator within the dressing room that the Frenchman remains the first-choice in the position.
So, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the coming months, especially with Ancelotti’s future also uncertain as his contract expires in 2024.
