Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will look to recoup €48 million from the sale of defender – report
Uncertainty continues to loom over the future of Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy. The 28-year-old left-back endured a forgettable 2022/23 campaign, one riddled with injuries. Even when fit, the Frenchman did not look at his best.
As such, doubts have crept in at Real Madrid over his continuity at the club, with reports suggesting that the Spanish capital giants are ready to sell him this summer.
Amidst this, AS (h/t Madrid Xtra) is reporting that Real Madrid wish to recoup most or the entirety of the €48 million that they paid Olympique Lyon to sign him in 2019.
Having joined the club four years ago, Mendy gradually took over the left-back slot from Marcelo and had become a permanent fixture on the left side of the Real Madrid defence.
And while manager Carlo Ancelotti still trusts him and wants to keep hold of him next season, the Merengues’ administration do not see things the same way.
And with Saudi Arabian clubs said to be interested in the 28-year-old, Los Blancos hope to make the most of the situation and recoup the €48 million that they spent on his signing four years ago.
Despite the links to the Middle East, Mendy’s agent recently downplayed those links, saying:
“The Saudi Arabia and Ferland Mendy thing? No, there is nothing. New players are being announced every morning there who can play in Saudi Arabia. Soon it will be Mbappé in Saudi Arabia and so on.
“There is nothing. Saudi Arabia is looking for all players, full stop. It’s nonsense. He’s at Real Madrid, it’s all good.”
Mendy’s contract with Real Madrid expires in 2025 and if they do not sell him now, they will be unable to recoup a sizeable fee from the left-back’s sale. So, it remains to be seen if an exit does materialise of whether the Frenchman ends up staying put.
With the international break done and dusted, Real Madrid will be back in action this weekend in La Liga, where they will be looking to catch up to league leaders FC Barcelona.
Coming up for Jose Mourinho & co., who lost their last game before the international break, will be a home game against Villarreal on Saturday.
And, leading up to the game, the Spanish capital club have received welcome news on the injury front.
Mbappe back in group training
Indeed, as per MARCA, Kylian Mbappe will be available for Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Having been training individually so far this week, the France captain rejoined group training under Mourinho today, taking a concrete step forward towards making himself available for the game.
The forward looked relaxed and ready to work, putting his boots back on and joining the group as Real Madrid prepare for a demanding run of fixtures throughout October.
And, unless there is any unforeseen setback, everything suggests that Mbappe will be ready to start against the Yellow Submarine come Saturday.
Under scrutiny
The past few weeks have been nothing short of eventful for Mbappe, with his every action and movement under heavy scrutiny.
Playing for France, in Zinedine Zidane’s managerial debut, the 27-year-old superstar scored a goal before asking for a substitution due to a knee injury.
Having flown back to Madrid, he underwent tests, which confirmed the injury, although it was not as serious as was initially feared.
The forward then took week-long holiday with his partner that sparked some debate among supporters and attracted criticism from multiple quarters.
Mbappe returned to Madrid on Monday and participated in individual sessions at Valdebebas over the past couple of days. Now he has resumed normal training with his teammates.
There had been doubts over whether Mbappe would be able to face Villarreal after he picked up the injury on 25 September.
However, the recovery plan followed by the forward appears to have worked, and he is now expected to be in a fully fit condition for Saturday’s match.
