Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up move for €25 million-rated Manchester City defender – report
According to SPORT, Real Madrid are considering making a shock bid for Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte.
The Madrid-based club are said to be showing interest in signing a new central defender to replace the injured Eder Militao, and the Spanish international’s name sits well with the club administration.
Enroute Saudi Arabia
Laporte has been at City’s exit door for a long time now. In the end, the Premier League giants agreed to a deal with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr and a deal appeared written in stone.
However, it is important to note that the player wishes to continue in Europe. He only contemplated a move to the Middle East-based league due to a lack of offers from European sides.
A bid from Real Madrid could thus rapidly distance Laporte from Saudi Arabia. The player, whose market value stands at €25 million, would be willing to make the switch to Madrid.
It remains to be seen if Manchester City agree to the one-year loan proposal that Real Madrid are said to be considering tabling.
Options from the academy are alive
Real Madrid have been actively looking for solutions to fill Militao’s shoes since his injury against Athletic Club at the weekend.
Initially, it was suggested that the Merengues would not enter the market for a new central defender unless there was another injury this month.
Ancelotti thus identified stars from the Castilla side whose profile appealed to him as possible replacements.
20-year-old prospect Marvel was one of the best placed on that front.
The Moroccan-born star was spotted training with the first team earlier this week. He has impressed the manager with his displays and reports earlier today brought to light that he is set to be promoted to the first team for the upcoming campaign.
As such, a move for Laporte seems unlikely at this point and the Spanish international is more likely to end up in Saudi Arabia.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid full-back never considered summer exit, would retire at club if given chance
Ferland Mendy finds himself in a difficult situation at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has struggled with injury and fitness woes for a large part of the past year, leading to doubts over his future at the club.
In fact, it had been reported that Los Blancos were considering selling Mendy during the summer transfer window earlier this year itself.
But, such a move did not materialise and the 28-year-old has stayed put at the Santiago Bernabeu although reports suggest that he is likely to be on the move next year.
Mendy would retire at Real Madrid if he could
Despite there having been numerous reports about his future in the summer, The Athletic reports that Mendy did not consider the possibility of an exit at any point.
In fact, the report adds that if given a chance, the 28-year-old defender would retire at Real Madrid.
Mendy’s contract with Los Merengues expires in 2025 and he is understood to be seeking a renewal for a while now, but there has been no move made by the club.
The injuries that the 28-year-old has picked up are understood to be a major deterrent for Real Madrid, which is why they are already looking to reinforce the left-back position with Alphonso Davies next year.
Mendy enjoys Ancelotti’s trust
Despite the non-stop speculations surrounding him, Mendy continues to enjoy the full trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Indeed, as per the report, the Italian tactician has informed the Frenchman that he is the left-back that best fits the defensive requirements needed in the team.
Ancelotti’s decision to bench Fran Garcia in the UEFA Champions League game even though Mendy was unavailable and start David Alaba at left-back was taken as an indicator within the dressing room that the Frenchman remains the first-choice in the position.
So, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the coming months, especially with Ancelotti’s future also uncertain as his contract expires in 2024.
