Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star backs Inter Milan and Lukaku to win the Champions League
Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final next month. It could well have been Real Madrid vs Inter, but the defending champions of Europe suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat in the semifinals.
With just a couple of weeks remaining until the final, Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois has recently revealed who he will be supporting in the Champions League this season.
The goalkeeper has shown support for Romelu Lukaku ahead of Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne. Both are his international teammates in the Belgian national team.
Speaking to PrimeVideo, Courtois said, “I hope Lukaku wins the UCL. Obviously, it’s him against Kevin [de Bruyne] but I’ve known Romelu a bit longer. I have a lot of respect for him.”
Courtois has played together with Lukaku during their time at Chelsea. Although the latter was not a prominent member of the Chelsea side at the time, the two know each other quite well.
Not to mention, they have been playing together in the Belgian national team for years and were part of multiple World Cup and European Championship campaigns. The same can be said for de Bruyne, but Courtois certainly has a closer connect with Lukaku.
The former Man United striker has racked up 13 goals since returning to Inter Milan this season. Three of his goals have come in the Champions League. De Bruyne, in contrast, has been involved in a staggering 38 goals this term.
Heading into this game, odds certainly favour de Bruyne’s Man City, who are also in contention to secure a treble. However, the Champions League is known for creating stories and it will be interesting to see whether or not Lukaku’s Inter can make a story of their own this season.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €3.5 million-rated relegated Premier League striker to reinforce attack
Following a difficult season with troubles in La Liga and the Champions League preventing Real Madrid from retaining their crowns, Los Blancos move towards a transformative summer, full of innovations.
Real Madrid managed to clear plenty of unwanted figures at the club, with a huge relief on the wage bill. However, with an array of exits, the squad has contracted and thus replacements are being inquired.
Apart from the high-profile departure of Karim Benzema, fringe players have also bid their farewell.
Among those names is Mariano Diaz, who was Madrid’s backup striker prior to his withdrawal. Several names have been put on the table to fill his absence as the club largely aim to address their lack of depth.
According to Arancha Rodriguez (via RM4Arab), Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of the names gaining consensus in the Madrid hierarchy. Moreover, Joselu has also been considered as a viable alternative.
The two favourites to replace Mariano have proven to be important figures for their clubs as both strikers maintain a starting role.
Playing for Espanyol, Joselu ended the La Liga campaign as the third top scorer, only behind Benzema and Lewandowski. Considering Espanyol’s relegation, such a feat looks even more impressive. The Spaniard secured 19 goals in all competitions.
On the other hand, Rodrigo Moreno recorded 16 goals last season across all competitions. Similar to Joselu’s case, the Spanish international also suffered relegation with Leeds, in spite of his good numbers.
With both players offering adequate output in struggling sides, Real Madrid’s interest is practical. Moreover, considering both Espanyol and Leeds were relegated, their asking price will undeniably lower, which enables the Merengues to sign one of the two targets at a more convenient rate.
It is claimed that Rodrigo has a release clause worth €3.5 million which Los Blancos would have to trigger to sign him from Leeds United.
It now remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti & co. go after the former Valencia man or move for Joselu instead.
