Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target leaves door open for January transfer – ‘Would listen to a call from them’
Real Madrid have been linked with several defenders in recent weeks, both for the short and the long term. Of all the linked players, Aymeric Laporte has stood out as their favoured target.
Los Blancos prefer the former Manchester City star for a plethora of reasons, right from his nationality and experience to the UEFA Champions League-winning run under Pep Guardiola.
However, there has been a consensus that signing the centre-back is close to impossible as Al-Nassr will not open the door to letting one of their most important players leave especially on a loan.
Laporte speaks
Speaking to El Larguero via MARCA recently, the Al-Nassr defender was asked to comment on Real Madrid’s interest in signing him this winter.
“I’m not very aware of it. I’ve read the same as you, so there’s no problem,” he began.
“I would obviously listen to a call from Real Madrid. You don’t ignore clubs like that,” he added.
He was also asked if he was open to leaving Saudi Arabia and returning to Spain, a valid question, especially given the astronomical wages in the Middle East.
“I’ve already commented on it more than once. My idea of going back is there. I have my whole family in Europe. My idea of returning is there,” he said, opening the door to a departure.
All eyes now, thus, are on Real Madrid to see if they can extract water from the stone. The 30-year-old has already made nine appearances for his team in the Saudi Pro League, scoring two goals and overseeing two clean sheets in the process.
His current contract at the club runs until 2026 and it is clear that a transfer will not come cheap.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
