Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will not spend ‘a lot’ to replace Benzema, Liverpool striker an option
Real Madrid have been rocked by recent reports linking Karim Benzema with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu.
Although the veteran forward was almost on the verge of renewing his contract until 2024, it appears he is now considering a move to Saudi Arabia, after receiving a lucrative offer worth up to €200 million.
In the midst of such uncertainty over Benzema’s future, Real Madrid have set their sights on Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool star has emerged as a potential candidate to replace the ageing forward next season.
But with reports projecting Real Madrid to go after a top striker in 2024, the idea that Firmino could become the replacement for Benzema has not been ruled out at all, reports Cadena SER.
Journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon also adds that Real Madrid’s plan is not to spend much when signing a replacement for Benzema this summer. That is where Firmino appears to be an excellent option, as the Brazilian’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season.
Having been involved in almost 200 goals during his time at Liverpool while winning the Champions League and the Premier League titles, Firmino’s track record makes him an absolute bargain for Real Madrid, especially on a free transfer.
Not to mention, Firmino is quite a versatile striker, who is capable of operating in the wider areas of the pitch. He can, therefore, prove to be a smart piece of investment for Los Blancos this coming summer.
However, Real Madrid’s priority remains the contract renewal of Benzema. As per Ramon, the Frenchman is planning to leave the Bernabeu this summer, but club president Florentino Perez has asked the player to reconsider his decision.
In a season where Real Madrid have largely struggled to keep pace with leaders Barcelona, Arda Guler has been one of the few bright sparks.
Despite his limited minutes, the Turkish international has shown that he is capable of becoming a first-team regular for Los Blancos, especially at a time when others, including Vinicius Jr. are struggling to make an impact.
Guler was notably named in Real Madrid’s five-player star of the month for September and the player could soon be rewarded with a contract extension as well.
New contract for Arda Guler
According to AS, Guler has agreed terms for a new deal at Real Madrid, in what could be the club’s first major renewal for the new season.
The young Turk’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires in 2029. But the renewal will ensure his future at the club at least until 2031.
The new contract will effectively acknowledge Guler’s growing role in the Real Madrid first-team and include a salary-increase.
The negotiations between the two parties had started last month and has now come to fruition, with Guler more than happy to continue his chapter at Real Madrid.
He also joins a long list of Real Madrid players with long-term contracts, including Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr., Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni and others.
An important season ahead
With the contract likely to be finalised soon, Arda Guler’s main goal will be continue to his form when the season restarts next weekend.
The forward has been involved in four goals in seven matches this season. With Vinicius and Diomande struggling for form, the Turkish international will have an excellent opportunity to become a regular starter for Jose Mourinho throughout the course of the campaign.
Mourinho, for his part, must identify how to get the best out of both Guler and an in-form Jude Bellingham. If the two can somehow work together in the final third, Real Madrid could find themselves dominating most matches.
