Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set sights on Bundesliga full-back, will be a free agent in the summer
Real Madrid will look to reinforce three positions in the summer transfer window according to recent reports. One of those three areas which the club are looking to strengthen is left-back.
As things stand, Los Blancos have Ferland Mendy as the first-choice left-back. Beyond him, Carlo Ancelotti has David Alaba and Nacho as options while he has also used Antonio Rudiger on the left on occasions.
But there remain doubts over Mendy’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu as the club are understood to be not sure whether to renew him or sell him. There had been talks of a new deal in the past but they fell through because of his wage demands.
And even though he has been a regular fixture in the side, there is a feeling that Real Madrid can improve in that position. Now, as relayed by SPORT, Los Blancos have set their sights on a move for Borussia Dortmund and Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro for the summer.
The 28-year-old has been a regular in the side for the German giants since joining them in 2016 from Lorient, making over 200 appearances during this time.
Guerreiro has been in good form this season as well, netting three goals and assisting three more from 18 matches across all competitions.
Experienced at the highest level, the 28-year-old makes for an enticing target for Real Madrid as his contract with Borussia Dortmund expires at the end of the season. It means that Guerreiro will be available for a free transfer in the summer.
The report indicates that Dortmund, for their part, could consider selling Guerreiro in the winter itself as it would represent their last chance to make some cash.
Other names like Fran Garcia and Miguel Gutierrez, who left Real Madrid only last summer, are on the club’s radar and it remains to be seen who Ancelotti & co. decide to bring in to reinforce the left-back slot.
Manchester City have now joined the ever-growing list of admirers for Celta Vigo midfielder and Real Madrid target Gabri Veiga, reports Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the breakout stars of La Liga this season, having impressed with his goalscoring abilities from the centre of the park. Indeed, the youngster has notched up nine goals in La Liga and his exploits have made the giants of Europe sit up and take notice.
Real Madrid are said to be interested in Veiga’s services heading into the summer. The Merengues have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos on expiring contracts and it is unlikely that all three will be renewed, especially with Jude Bellingham being on the agenda.
In case of Modric and Kroos, even if they stay, it will likely be for only a season at the most. Hence, Los Blancos could require more than one central midfielder come summer, with Veiga emerging as an option.
The 20-year-old was also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Now, Manchester City have also jumped on the bandwagon of clubs interested in Veiga’s services.
The Cityzens, who are battling Real Madrid for Bellingham as well, are set to lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is also far from certain, thus necessitating the signing of another midfielder.
Veiga has a release clause worth €40 million in his contract with Celta Vigo, which should not be a problem for either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino recently admitted that the midfielder could leave the club in the summer, saying:
“We don’t want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there. We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for Veiga’s signing or decide to entirely focus on their pursuit of Bellingham.
