Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s €25 million-rated defender seen as the only sellable first-team player – report
Less than a week remains before Real Madrid board the flight to the United States to kick off their pre-season tour. Los Blancos will engage in four games in their time overseas before the 2023/24 season officially kicks off.
Pre-season training has already been underway for a week now under the joint management of Ancelotti and Raul Gonzalez. The manager is already considering the various tactical tweaks he can make in the season to come, and it is safe to say that the composition of the squad for 2023/24 is close to fixed.
According to reports from AS, there is only one player on the first-team roster who could leave the club this summer – Ferland Mendy.
Los Blancos have bid farewell to five stars already this summer. Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Mariano Diaz, and Marco Asensio all left on free transfers early last month, while Jesus Vallejo moved out on loan to Granada last week.
Mendy could well be on his way to joining that list. After all, the manager trusts the newly arrived Fran Garcia to take over duties at left-back for next season and the Frenchman will only serve as a deputy.
The 28-year-old was widely touted as the world’s next big left-back at the time of his signing, and many felt the €48 million fee the club paid for his services was a bargain. He got off to his career at Real Madrid on the right foot, but his development has stagnated in recent times.
Mendy’s lack of productivity in the final third has hurt the team in attacking transitions. Ancelotti sees an offensive full-back to be the basis of a counter-attacking side and even has his eyes on Alphonso Davies for the same reason.
Furthermore, the Frenchman, whose market value stands at €25 million, has also endured injury issues throughout his time at the club and it was no different last season.
Mendy’s most probable destination, if he does indeed leave, would appear to be Saudi Arabia. The Merengues have already received indications of interest in the player from the Middle East.
It remains to be seen if they can convince him to make the transition this summer. They will look to recoup the entire €48 million or most of it they invested, for his services.
Ancelotti, though, reports say, would like the player to continue as a valuable backup option. So, as things stand, it is unclear what the future holds for Mendy. But he is seen as the only first-team player that could be sold before the transfer window closes this summer.
*Player market value from Transfermarkt
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid very happy with future star Endrick, eagerly awaiting his arrival in 2024 – Romano
Real Madrid’s attacking unit has been crippled by the loss of Karim Benzema earlier in the summer, which was followed by the loss of Vinicius Jr due to injury.
Although Vinicius has returned, there is much left to be desired from the Madrid frontline as we progress through to the season.
Real Madrid, though, are waiting on the arrival of Endrick. The young Brazilian is set to join the Real Madrid squad in the summer of 2024 when he turns 18.
Real Madrid impressed by Endrick
Endrick has already started his preparation for his pending move to Santiago Bernabeu, having performed exceptionally well in his native Brazil this year.
The youngster is constantly working on his game, in order to further improve himself as an attacker. It has left Real Madrid quite happy and eager for his arrival, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist claims that Real Madrid have been keeping close tabs on everything Endrick has been doing, on and off the pitch, at Palmeiras.
And they have received very good reports on the 17-year-old, with the club impressed by how he is putting efforts to improve himself both performance-wise and in other facets.
Despite there being some question marks over his performances, the teenage forward is starting to showcase his potential, having scored five goals in five starts for Palmeiras.
Endrick also learning new languages
Endrick is not only just working on his performance. In fact, the Brazilian is also learning other languages in order to quickly settle into life in Spain.
The youngster can speak Portuguese, but he may have to master Spanish during his time at Santiago Bernabeu.
As mentioned earlier, Endrick can already speak Portuguese, which should go a long way in helping him team up with fellow Brazilians Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
Even Eder Militao can speak Portuguese, which should make it easier for Endrick to adapt to life in Spain, at least for the next year or so.
Promethios
July 18, 2023 at 8:16 am
I see him better as a center back than a right back