Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will not sign Kylian Mbappe in the summer – report
Real Madrid are in advanced negotiations with Borussia Dortmund over the signing of Jude Bellingham. With talks proceeding in the right direction, it appears to be only a matter of time before an official announcement is made.
The Englishman’s transfer to Santiago Bernabeu would be one of the summer transfer window’s biggest moves. After all, Los Blancos are expected to shell out over €100 million for the protege.
Yesterday, reports suggested that the Merengues could do one better and go after Kylian Mbappe in addition to Bellingham in June. The headlining news unsurprisingly took the world of football by storm.
Josep Pedrerol of El Chiringuito, however, stands firmly against the claims made yesterday. He reports that Real Madrid will not negotiate with Paris Saint-Germain this summer and will thus not sign Mbappe.
A part of the reason involved could have to do with the economics. The overall operation to bring both players to Spain could cost in excess of €250 million, a number high by any standards for a single transfer window.
After all, Los Blancos have positions like full-back and the right-wing that need more urgent signings.
More importantly, Eden Hazard’s decision to stay at the club could affect Real Madrid’s planning for next season. The Belgian is the team’s highest earner and it might be steep for the club to sign two players on high salaries while he is still around.
Florentino Perez could thus return to the market in pursuit of Mbappe next summer when Hazard is out of contract.
If completed, the move would unite Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga and set up one of world football’s most daunting young cores.
Mbappe has scored 24 goals and provided four assists in just 30 Ligue 1 appearances this season. He averages 1.6 key passes per game and has created 15 big chances.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
