Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will look to keep 23-year-old forward if both Asensio and Benzema leave
Everything in Real Madrid appeared to be in order a week ago. With the renewals of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Karim Benzema virtually signed and sealed, the club looked on track to agree on the final details with the likes of Marco Asensio too.
Fast forward seven days, and Los Blancos are in acute crisis, particularly in the centre-forward position. All of a sudden, Karim Benzema is virtually boarding the flight away from Madrid while Asensio is dangerously close to a move away as well.
Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Carlo Ancelotti now finds himself in a shortage of resources in the final third. According to reports from Tomas Gonzalez Martin, the club have one replacement ready.
The Spanish journalist states that if both Asensio and Benzema leave Real Madrid in the summer, the club will look to keep Brahim Diaz. The AC Milan star is, after all, set to return to Santiago Bernabeu in June after his loan spell in Italy comes to an end.
Diaz has been a regular starter for Stefano Pioli’s side this season, making 32 appearances and scoring six goals in the process. Further, he has provided seven assists, averages 1.3 key passes per game, and has created 11 big chances in the Italian league this season.
Carlo Ancelotti was not initially a big fan of calling the youngster back as he saw Benzema, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, and Marco Asensio as candidates to handle the forward department next season. After all, all four individuals have repeatedly proven their value this season.
With the tempting offer from Saudi Arabia dragging him away, Benzema no longer looks likely to wear the white colours next season. Asensio, on the other hand, is likely to stay in Europe and could join PSG in June.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
