Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target with €110 million exit clause names Liverpool as his ‘dream club’
RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is attracting a slew of interest from clubs across Europe after his exceptional performances at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Indeed, the 20-year-old centre-half was one of the most standout performers for Croatia as they finished third in the tournament. There had already been considerable interest in the towering defender before the World Cup and it has only multiplied afterwards.
Real Madrid are one of the clubs to have taken a keen interest in Gvardiol. The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be admirers of the RB Leipzig defender.
However, in a recent interview with Rtl (h/t MARCA), Gvardiol has revealed that he dreams of playing for Liverpool, having supported the Premier League giants from his childhood.
“My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool. I used to watch a lot of their games with my father when I was a kid. We watched every season in detail. It’s a club that has stayed in my heart,” Gvardiol said.
While Liverpool have not been mentioned as suitors of Gvardiol, the defender’s comments could certainly alert the officials at the Merseyside club.
The Reds have been woeful in defence this season. Virgil van Dijk, who is currently injured and is a doubt for the game against Real Madrid next month, will be turning 32 in the summer. It could compel Jurgen Klopp & co. to look for reinforcements.
As for Gvardiol, he has a contract with RB Leipzig that runs until the summer of 2027. Reports in Germany, as cited by MARCA, have claimed that the defender has a release clause worth €110 million embedded in his contract.
With Nacho’s future in question, Real Madrid could do with additional cover in defence for the summer. However, it is unlikely that they will splash a big sum for a defender when they will be making a splurge to sign Jude Bellingham as well.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
