Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set €35 million spending limit for right-back target, Chelsea, Liverpool also keen
Even though the next summer transfer window is still very far away, planning is already underway at Real Madrid to strengthen the squad.
An elite striker and a left-back are understood to be the priorities for the summer of 2024, but at the same time, Los Blancos are also keeping an eye on the market for a new right-back.
With Dani Carvajal not getting any younger and Lucas Vazquez’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Real Madrid could do with a long-term heir for the position.
Jeremie Frimpong a target for Real Madrid
As such, Spanish publication Depor is reporting that Real Madrid have set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen youngster Jeremie Frimpong.
The 22-year-old has been brilliant for the Bundesliga club, especially over the past year or so under the tutelage of manager Xabi Alonso, who is linked with the Real Madrid hotseat.
And, the report states that Alonso, if he were to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu next year, wants to bring Frimpong along with him from Leverkusen.
Frimpong has been on Real Madrid’s radar in the past as well, and the links with Alonso seem to have only intensified talks about a move for the Dutch defender as well.
Complications for Real Madrid
However, Real Madrid will not have it easy in their pursuit of Frimpong as Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old defender.
Furthermore, the report adds that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez does not wish to spend more than €35 million to sign Frimpong, whose market value currently stands at €45 million.
Considering that both Chelsea and Liverpool are unlikely to have any qualms about spending big on the right-back, it puts Real Madrid in a disadvantageous position.
The report further adds that Alonso has conditioned his arrival at the Bernabeu to the signing of Frimpong, which makes things even more complicated for Real Madrid.
So, it remains to be seen how things evolve in the Merengues’ pursuit of Frimpong as well as Alonso.
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
