Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president puts an end to Kylian Mbappe links: “We have a great future”
The Kylian Mbappe rumours have once again started to circulate within the European media lately, with speculations suggesting the Frenchman wants to quit PSG in the upcoming January transfer window. Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as the priority for the attacker.
However, in a recent media interaction, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reacted to the Mbappe rumours for the first time, suggesting that the club are not listening to rumours and are happy with their current crop of players.
“No, I’m not tired about Kylian Mbappé rumours — but I’m not even reading the stories about Mbappé!” he said (h/t Fabrizio Romano).
Adding to his comment, Perez admitted that he is happy with the current crop of attackers Real Madrid have at their disposal. He even floated the idea of Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo potentially winning the Ballon d’Or in the future.
“We have a great future with Vinícius and Rodrygo — they’re top players, they can win the Ballon d’Or,” he added.
Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo have indeed emerged as two of the most consistent performers at Santiago Bernabeu this season, with the duo contributing 12 goals between them.
Vinicius was notably ranked eighth in the Ballon d’Or last evening, with his attacking teammate Karim Benzema winning the prestigious trophy.
Perez’s comments come in the midst of speculations over Real Madrid’s potential move for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian international has reportedly emerged as the transfer priority for Los Blancos, who have no intention to pursue Mbappe.
Perez, meanwhile, is not the only figure to react to recent speculations, as Mbappe himself has denied these rumours lately. However, given the nature of these two parties, it would perhaps not be wise to rule out anything just yet.
According to a report from journalist Jorge C Picon, former Tottenham Hotspur and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is in pole position to become the next manager of Real Madrid, if Carlo Ancelotti leaves at the end of the season.
Ancelotti’s topic has become a topic of much debate and discussion over the past few weeks. The Italian tactician has a contract that runs until next year and has stated that he wishes to see it out.
However, the team’s failure to win any major title this season could end up spelling trouble or the 63-year-old. The La Liga title looks like a lost cause already while Real Madrid are in a disadvantageous position in Copa del Rey as well.
The UEFA Champions League remains Ancelotti’s best bet to win a trophy this season. Should he do so, the Italian could continue at Real Madrid or even possibly sign a new contract extension.
But, failure to land the trophy could end his second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu and Pochettino is said to be the frontrunner for the position in that case.
The Argentine is currently unemployed after being sacked by PSG in July last year. The 51-year-old did not have the most memorable of stints in Paris but his stock has not diminished in the Real Madrid offices, who had considered appointing him once before as well.
Thomas Tuchel was also a candidate for Real Madrid and talks were also held with him. But, the club informed him that if Ancelotti won the UCL, he would stay on, which played a part in the German signing for Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, club legend Raul Gonzalez, who is currently the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, is also a candidate, but is seen only as Plan B, with Pochettino very much the frontrunner at this point.
A lot will depend on how the rest of the season pans out and whether Ancelotti is able to lead Real Madrid to back-to-back Champions League triumphs.
