Real Madrid News
Report: €100m-rated Liverpool star sparks battle between Real Madrid and Manchester City
According to a report from Defensa Central, Real Madrid are now in direct competition with Manchester City for the signing of Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian international, who has quickly established himself as a vital figure under Arne Slot, has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe and Real Madrid appear keen to make a move.
The Spanish giants are looking ahead to the future, planning reinforcements across several key positions.
While the centre-back role remains a top priority, club officials are also focused on reshaping the midfield, an area where they have suffered several major departures in recent years.
In that context, Szoboszlai’s name has surfaced as a serious target.
Competition from Manchester City
Reports suggest that both Real Madrid and Manchester City are competing for his signature. However, any pursuit will be far from straightforward.
This is because Liverpool are unwilling to part ways with one of Slot’s most influential players.
The midfielder is currently under contract until 2028, but behind the scenes, there are growing concerns at Anfield about his satisfaction level.
Sources indicate that Szoboszlai feels his salary does not reflect his importance within the squad, and that discontent has opened the door for potential suitors.
If Liverpool fail to address the situation swiftly, the tension could escalate, especially with powerhouses like Madrid and City ready to pounce.
What about his value?
The midfielder’s current market value stands at around €85 million, and the fee could rise to as much as €100 million, which might test Madrid’s financial limits.
Despite that, there is a sense within the club that his age, versatility, and leadership qualities make him worth the investment.
For Slot, losing Szoboszlai would be unthinkable. The Dutch manager reportedly insists “Dominik Szoboszlai must not leave under any circumstances”, believing he is a crucial pillar of his project.
There are already fears at Anfield that after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, and possibly Szoboszlai could all depart in the coming years due to ongoing frustrations with how the club is being managed.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
