Real Madrid News
Real Madrid scrap plans to sign a new attacker; focusing on these two areas
With nothing left to play for this season, Real Madrid are looking into the season ahead, with Jose Mourinho close to becoming the new head coach.
The Portuguese tactician has already confirmed he is in talks with Real Madrid and is likely to play a key role in dictating the club’s transfer policy.
For the longest time, it was reported that Real Madrid are keen on signing a new attacker this summer. But a recent report from Defensa Central has offered a contrarian view.
Real Madrid not interested in a new attacker
According to Defensa Central, the club are not actively pursuing a prolific striker this summer. Names such as Joselu, Erling Haaland and Dusan Vlahovic are not on their radar.
Instead, the plan is to bring Endrick back from his loan spell at Olympique Lyonnais and integrate him as the primary attacking option behind Mbappe and Vinicius.
Defence is the priority
The two areas Real Madrid are focused on are centre-back and right-back.
With David Alaba and Dani Carvajal both leaving this summer, the defensive unit requires significant reinforcement.
Antonio Rudiger has signed a contract extension until June 2027, but the German is no longer able to sustain a high volume of minutes, meaning a new centre-back capable of competing with Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio and Eder Militao is considered essential.
Militao’s recurring injury issues only add to the urgency.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be the starter, but Real Madrid want a reliable backup who can bring out the best in the Englishman and cover for him when suspended or injured.
Promoting from the youth academy has not been ruled out, but the preference is for an established option.
Real Madrid return to La Liga action against Rayo Vallecano with little room for another slip-up, and their opponents could be without several important players at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos arrive after opening their Champions League campaign with a 2–1 victory over Inter Milan.
Their domestic situation is less comfortable, though, after the defeat to Real Betis left them trailing Barcelona at the top of the table.
With Barça already putting together an impressive run, Real Madrid cannot afford to drop more points this early in the season.
Jose Mourinho will be looking for an immediate response when Rayo visit the capital.
The visitors, meanwhile, are dealing with a growing list of absentees.
Rayo Vallecano lose another forward
According to Mundo Deportivo, Rayo Vallecano will be without several players for the trip to Madrid, with Randy Nteka the latest addition to the injury list.
The Angolan striker suffered a muscle strain during training this week and is now expected to miss the match.
Rayo were already preparing for the game without Isi Palazon, who is recovering from a muscle injury. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is also unavailable after undergoing surgery for a fracture to his right tibia.
The absences do not end there. Fran Perez and Jorge de Frutos will both sit out after receiving red cards in Rayo’s previous league fixture.
Rayo manager Benat San Jose therefore faces some difficult selection decisions against a Real Madrid side that will be eager to build on its European victory.
More to the story
As per the outlet, there is also uncertainty surrounding Ivan Balliu.
The Albanian right-back picked up a heavy challenge in Rayo’s last match and his ankle is now badly bruised. San Jose has not ruled him out, but the defender faces a race against time to be fit.
“His ankle is badly bruised, but he’s a tough one and is doing everything he can to be fit.”
Real Madrid cannot afford another La Liga setback
For Real Madrid, the Champions League victory over Inter provided a positive response after the Betis defeat, but domestic consistency is now the priority.
Barcelona’s early form has already created pressure at the top of the table, making every dropped point more costly.
Rayo’s depleted squad should make life more difficult for San Jose, although Real Madrid still have to turn that advantage into three points.
