Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target could be sold in January, but only for a club-record fee
Cody Gakpo’s stellar run at the World Cup has some of Europe’s top clubs all over him. His profile is seen as a unique blend of lethal finishing and intelligent movements, a combination rarely found on the market.
Real Madrid too were said to be interested in Gakpo following his exploits with PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands national team. Along with the Merengues, teams like Manchester United and Liverpool have also been mentioned as suitors for the winger.
And according to GOAL, PSV are now open to selling their top star but have some conditions that must be met beforehand.
The PSV Director of football, Marcel Brands spoke earlier this week about the situation of Gakpo and said that the player could only leave for a club record transfer fee.
“You have to be realistic. If you talk about Cody Gakpo and the price tag attached to him, there may be 10 to 12 clubs in Europe that can afford him. Amounts have not been discussed, but if the right club comes then Cody would like to go,” he said.
“Those agreements were already made before I came. It must be a record transfer for PSV anyway. Then you know in which direction it should go.”
Brands then added that the club were unaware of the parties interested in his signing and that all negotiations at the moment were only taking place with the player’s agent.
“In the media, it seems like all the clubs are lining up, but the reality is that we don’t know anything about interest or anything yet. It’s quiet.
“I’ve spoken to Cody, he’s going on vacation for 10 days. If something is at play, it is perhaps known to Cody or his management, but not to us yet.”
While Real Madrid have been linked with the youngster, signing him could be a difficult proposition, especially with PSV demanding a club-record fee for him.
Los Blancos have recently invested heavily in the imminent signing of 16-year-old prodigy Endrick and could find it tricky to splash the cash again on Gakpo.
In five World Cup appearances in Qatar, the 23-year-old scored three goals and averaged two key passes per game. He has been in phenomenal form in the Eredivisie too, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists in just 14 league appearances.
Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could renew contract with Real Madrid if he wins the Champions League – report
The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hinges on several factors and journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that if Real Madrid do not sack him at the end of the season, the Italian will continue to serve the team at least until his current contract, which runs until 2024.
Furthermore, the report also states that Ancelotti could even be handed a contract extension if he leads the team to the UEFA Champions League triumph once again.
It is more than evident that Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future is far from certain. Ever since the managerial role at the Brazilian national team opened up, the 63-year-old is being pursued by the South American team.
Cortegana writes that even though Ancelotti is quite happy at Real Madrid, there remains a possibility that he will, indeed, accept the Brazil role if he were to leave the Spanish capital city as he sees this job as an appealing end to his managerial career.
At Real Madrid, he knows that he will have to keep winning trophies and this season, the La Liga honour is more or less lost. But with the possibility of winning the UEFA Champions League still open, Cortegana has reported that if the Italian does, in fact, succeed at winning the European crown, he might end up renewing his deal with the team.
At the moment, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is trying to keep a respectful distance, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that they have made him their absolute priority.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
“Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career,” he added.
Ancelotti is aware that Brazil want him and Brazil know Ancelotti is ready to join, but everything hinges on what happens with Real Madrid this season.
If they end up winning the Champions League or even if Madrid decided to stick with him until his contract expires [2024], Brazil will be forced to look for alternatives. If not, one can expect the Italian to be the new head coach of the Seleçao.
