Real Madrid News
Real Madrid very interested in 20-year-old Arsenal striker target – report
According to reports from Italian publication La Repubblica (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Real Madrid have shown an interest in Atalanta BC striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The 20-year-old Dane joined the Serie A outfit in the summer window last year, arriving from Sturm Graz and has made a fine impact for La Dea.
So far in his time with Atalanta, Hojlund has played 21 times across all competitions, scoring seven goals and setting up two more.
And the young Dane’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid and Arsenal among the clubs taking note of his potential.
Los Blancos did not sign a new striker last summer despite parting ways with Borja Mayoral and Luka Jovic, leaving them short in the centre-forward department, given that Mariano Diaz is not favoured by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The injuries to Karim Benzema created problems for the Merengues, but they opted not to sign a backup for their captain in the winter window either.
However, heading into the 2023/24 campaign, there is a plan to bring in a backup striker for Benzema in the summer.
And, Hojlund has appeared as a target for the reigning champions of Spain and England, with the report suggesting that they have scouted the young striker this season.
It is also being claimed that Real Madrid could already be working on an offer for the young Danish forward whose contract with Atalanta runs until the summer of 2027.
However, Los Blancos will have to face competition from Arsenal, who are also interested in the 20-year-old and have scouted him as well.
Hojlund has demonstrated great potential in his short career so far and can be a good backup for Benzema, before going into the role of the first-choice forward gradually. Whether Los Blancos make a concrete attempt to sign him in the summer will be interesting to see.
Real Madrid News
Atletico striker hoping Bellingham has an off day during derby: “He is at a great level”
Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata admitted that Real Madrid midfield superstar Jude Bellingham is performing at a great level.
Real Madrid take on Atletico in La Liga on Sunday in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano and without a doubt, Bellingham will pose a huge threat for the Rojiblancos.
Alvaro Morata hopes Bellingham as a quiet outing
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter on Sunday, Morata, who is Atletico’s main striker, admitted that Bellingham has great quality.
“I saw him last year in a few games, the truth is that he caught my attention. I saw him in his team and in his national team, and talking to people who had played with him, teammates he has, you could already see that he was a great player,” he said.
However, the former Real Madrid striker added that he hoped that the England international has an off day during the derby.
“The truth is that he is at a great level, we can only hope that he doesn’t do well and that we also have very good players to counteract that. We hope he doesn’t have a good day on Sunday,” Morata stated.
Bellingham fit and ready to go
Bellingham has been the in-form player for Real Madrid this season with six goals and an assist in six matches across all competitions.
So, naturally, there were concerns when he did not complete the training sessions on Friday due to stomach issues.
But, the 20-year-old returned to training today and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he will play against Atleti tomorrow, with the Englishman named in the squad list as well.
