Real Madrid News
Real Madrid targeting two Arsenal defenders with €120m offer under consideration – report
Real Madrid are reportedly planning a summer move to sign Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Lewis Skelly.
As per Fichajes, club president Florentino Perez is ready to spend up to €120 million to bring both players to the Santiago Bernabeu in a double transfer that could boost the team’s defence and secure the club’s future.
As of today, it is no secret that Saliba remains the main target. The 24-year-old Frenchman has been a rock at the back for Arsenal and is now seen as one of Europe’s top centre-backs.
Real Madrid view him as the ideal replacement or long-term solution, especially with concerns over the fitness of Eder Militao and Antonio Rüdiger.
For what it is worth, the club is keen to have a reliable and physically strong centre-back to anchor their defence, and Saliba fits the bill perfectly.
Skelly’s versatility adds extra value
Alongside Saliba, Madrid are also tracking 18-year-old Lewis Skelly. The young Englishman is already making waves under Mikel Arteta, playing valuable minutes in the Premier League despite his age.
He can play as a left-back or even step into midfield, which makes him a smart option for a team like Real Madrid, who value tactical flexibility. With Ferland Mendy and Fran García struggling to convince, a fresh face on the left flank could be just what Madrid need.
Both Saliba and Skelly are under contract at Arsenal, so negotiations won’t be easy. However, Real Madrid are already working behind the scenes to prepare an offer close to Arsenal’s expectations.
The goal is to avoid missing out and to make sure the defence is ready for the new season. Perez is clearly focused on long-term planning, and this double swoop shows his intent to secure the future of Real Madrid’s backline.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
