Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president greenlights €60 million January move for Portuguese defender
With Eder Militao ruled out for the season through an ACL tear, Real Madrid have been treading a tightrope in central defence.
The manager has only three trusted personnel in the first team squad for the position in David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez, and has been forced to even deploy Aurelien Tchouameni as cover on occasion.
A new signing this winter
According to reports from Radio MARCA, Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio has been offered to Real Madrid by Jorge Mendes for the coming winter transfer window.
The Merengues’ management like the player’s profile, with Florentino Perez even giving the green light for its completion. The operation will set Real Madrid behind by €60 million and is expected to be completed in January.
He will arrive as a replacement for the injured Eder Militao and will add substantial depth to a department in jeopardy. Needless to say, the signing is much needed and should go through without complications considering that Real Madrid are willing to shell out his release clause.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also recorded serious interest in the player, but everything indicates that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will beat them to the star defender.
A consistent performer
As just 22 years of age, Inacio is one of Portugal’s most promising young defenders and has backed the hype with good performances at the club level.
He has also made his debut with the Portuguese international team and has two goals in four appearances despite playing as a centre-back.
So far this season, the young phenom has started nine games for Sporting in Liga Portugal, overseeing four clean sheets in the process. He averages one interception, 1.1 tackles, 2.4 clearances, 3.5 duels won, and recovers six balls per game.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
