Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set to sign 33-year-old striker on a free loan deal – report
With Real Madrid on the lookout to reinforce their frontline this summer, MARCA is reporting that the Spanish capital giants are close to signing RCD Espanyol striker Joselu.
As per the report, the signing of Joselu will be on a season-long loan deal with no fee involved and the club would only have to bear his full wages.
This is thanks to a special clause that exists in the 33-year-old’s contract with Espanyol according to which he can leave the club on loan if they are relegated from La Liga.
Joselu is no stranger to Real Madrid having spent three years on the club’s books between 2009 and 2012. During that time, the centre-forward even made two senior appearances and netted two goals.
With Real Madrid set to bid goodbye to Mariano Diaz when his contract expires at the end of the season, there will be no backup for Karim Benzema in the squad.
Hence, the Merengues have moved swiftly to all but secure Joselu’s signing. The 33-year-old Spanish international has had a fine season in La Liga despite Espanyol’s struggles, netting 16 goals in 34 appearances.
He would be more than a handy backup to have for manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, Real Madrid’s striker hunt will not stop with Joselu’s arrival.
Amidst speculations that Benzema could be on his way to Saudi Arabia, another top-quality centre-forward is being sought as a possible replacement for the club captain.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur appears to be the favourite option but some within the club are reluctant to spend big on a striker this year as they would prefer to sign one of Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in 2024.
So, it remains to be seen which way Real Madrid decide to go. But, for now, what appears certain is Joselu is set to seal a return to his former club, even if it would be on a season-long loan deal.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
