Real Madrid News
Real Madrid waiting for Chelsea to reduce €60 million forward’s price – report
The first 72 hours after the announcement of Karim Benzema’s departure were chaotic in Madrid. The offices at Santiago Bernabeu were pressed to work around the clock as they attempted to find a new striker who could replace the Ballon d’Or winner.
Just over a week later, the situation is drastically different. The topic of Real Madrid’s hunt for a new forward mysteriously appears to have gone under the radar.
Earlier today, Fabrizio Romano, via Amp, released information regarding one of Los Blancos‘ speculated targets, Kai Havertz, and an update on the negotiations.
The Italian journalist states that Real Madrid are still interested in the young German. However, they stand firm on their valuation of the player and are unwilling to pay the money that Chelsea demand.
The London-based side are said to expect €60 million, exclusive of bonuses for their attacking star, but Florentino Perez disagrees with the valuation.
Nevertheless, the possibility of the move materialising should not be discarded, and there is still time in the window for Chelsea to rethink their approach.
The Blues are under pressure to sell big this summer after their spending spree last year. Given their need to generate revenue from player sales, it is possible that they come down on their valuation of the star.
Havertz would add a new dimension to the Real Madrid attack with his unique profile. Yet, he is far from the central striker that Los Blancos direly require.
Florentino Perez also wishes to err on the side of caution this summer and spend judiciously. After all, it is his dream to bring Kylian Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
Keeping all the restrictions in mind, it is unlikely for Real Madrid to spend another chunk of their allowance on an attacking midfielder. After all, there are positions in direr need of reinforcement.
In a season where Real Madrid have largely struggled to keep pace with leaders Barcelona, Arda Guler has been one of the few bright sparks.
Despite his limited minutes, the Turkish international has shown that he is capable of becoming a first-team regular for Los Blancos, especially at a time when others, including Vinicius Jr. are struggling to make an impact.
Guler was notably named in Real Madrid’s five-player star of the month for September and the player could soon be rewarded with a contract extension as well.
New contract for Arda Guler
According to AS, Guler has agreed terms for a new deal at Real Madrid, in what could be the club’s first major renewal for the new season.
The young Turk’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires in 2029. But the renewal will ensure his future at the club at least until 2031.
The new contract will effectively acknowledge Guler’s growing role in the Real Madrid first-team and include a salary-increase.
The negotiations between the two parties had started last month and has now come to fruition, with Guler more than happy to continue his chapter at Real Madrid.
He also joins a long list of Real Madrid players with long-term contracts, including Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr., Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni and others.
An important season ahead
With the contract likely to be finalised soon, Arda Guler’s main goal will be continue to his form when the season restarts next weekend.
The forward has been involved in four goals in seven matches this season. With Vinicius and Diomande struggling for form, the Turkish international will have an excellent opportunity to become a regular starter for Jose Mourinho throughout the course of the campaign.
Mourinho, for his part, must identify how to get the best out of both Guler and an in-form Jude Bellingham. If the two can somehow work together in the final third, Real Madrid could find themselves dominating most matches.
