Real Madrid News
Real Madrid retain interest in UEFA Euro 2024 winner as possible summer reinforcement
Real Madrid’s lack of depth in the centre-back department has once again been exposed this season.
With David Alaba still not recovering from his ACL injury and Jesus Vallejo out of favour, Carlo Ancelotti has had to constantly rely on the combination of Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, while using Aurelien Tchouameni as a makeshift defender whenever needed.
As such, Real Madrid have made it a point to recruit a new centre-back in the summer transfer window, with a number of players already identified as potential targets.
Aymeric Laporte still a person of interest
Now, according to AS, Real Madrid still retain a strong interest in former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, who plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Laporte, who was an integral part of the Spain squad that won the UEFA Euro 2024, had been linked with Real Madrid during the summer as well, but nothing came of it.
However, recent reports emerged claiming that the Merengues still have him on their list as a possible reinforcement for January if they decide to sign a new centre-back.
Now, while the idea of signing a new defender in the winter has seemingly cooled down, Laporte is still seen as an option to strengthen the backline for next season.
The interest in the 30-year-old stems from the fact that he is well-versed in Spanish and European football and would not take up a non-EU slot in the squad. Added to it is the defender’s desire to leave Saudi Arabia.
As per the report, Ancelotti already gave the green light to the possible signing of Laporte last summer itself. So his arrival would be welcomed by the coaching staff.
However, Laporte would need to take a major cut on his current €25 million annual salary if he were to move to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
