Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will try to sign a striker next summer – Fabrizio Romano
Real Madrid boast of one of Europe’s finest squads across the field. They have some of the world’s best defenders and midfielders in their ranks, but the one position that seems to be the weak link in the team is the centre-forward position.
Karim Benzema is undoubtedly one of, if not the best, striker in the world. He is not only the winner of the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year but also the favourite to pick up the Ballon d’Or later this year.
The Frenchman is now 34 years of age and could have another year or two in the tank. However, the club do not even have a backup striker in place to cover for his absence, and the long-term future planning is even more rudimentary.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, that is set to change in the coming summer. The Italian journalist reports that Real Madrid are looking to sign a striker next June. However, it is not known whether they will look for a short-term or long-term fix.
Los Blancos were linked heavily with a forward signing in the last transfer window, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland amongst those who were close to a move. However, the Spanish Champions failed to make any signing in the department and are currently facing the music.
When Benzema was ruled out through injury last month, Ancelotti was forced to use Eden Hazard in the Frenchman’s place. Further, the responsibility of scoring goals fell on the young shoulders of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, both of whom are wingers.
Christopher Nkunku was linked with a move to the Bernabeu but now seems set to sign for Chelsea. That said, it remains to be seen as to whom Florentino Perez eyes as the team’s next big striker.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
