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.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
