Real Madrid News
Report – The Real Madrid star Arbeloa sees as ‘key’ to beating Bayern Munich
Real Madrid will have to fire on all cylinders if they are to get the better of Bayern Munich in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League next month.
The Bavarians, after all, are one of the most in-form teams in Europe at the moment and they boast of quality players and dynamics across the field.
Alvaro Arbeloa, needless to say, will need his best players to be at the peak of their powers for the clash against the German side. The returns of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham will be massive boosts, but Defensa Central relays that neither is the manager’s trump card.
A surprise X-factor
Indeed, as relayed by the Spanish outlet, Arbeloa sees Ferland Mendy as the key piece to help Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich in what comes as a rather surprising update.
The Frenchman has spent most of the season injured and has regularly suffered comebacks immediately upon making his return to the team.
The manager, however, is said to highly rate Mendy, so much so that he sees the Frenchman to be a default starter over both Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia when fit.
Mendy in full flow is defensively solid, something Real Madrid requires to contain Bayern Munich’s explosive wingers. Arbeloa thus sees him as crucial to keep Michael Olise in check on the night.
The Frenchman played 45 minutes against Manchester City in the first leg of the UCL Round of 16 and dished out a solid performance, and while he did miss the team’s games after that, there is optimism that he can return to fitness after the break.
Should Mendy garner regular minutes and return to full-fitness, Arbeloa is convinced that he can be the X-factor that the team needs. The medical and coaching staff, needless to say, are working on that objective.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona best placed to sign Man United gem as total cost could exceed €10-15 million
Things seem to be heating up with regard to the future of wantaway Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel.
Real Madrid are one of the clubs pursuing the teenage wonderkid, who has made it clear that he does not wish to continue with the Premier League club.
Apart from Los Blancos, other top European clubs like FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain also remain keen on the English starlet.
Real Madrid, Barcelona best placed
In a major development, Sky Germany now reports that Real Madrid and Barcelona have emerged as the clubs best positioned to sign Gabriel.
The teenage attacking midfielder is understood to be giving preference to a move to Spain despite Bayern Munich intensifying their pursuit.
Real Madrid are understood to be in active negotiations with Gabriel and his camp, while his representatives continue to talk with multiple other clubs before a final decision is made.
But his preference to move to Spain gives Los Blancos an advantage, along with Barcelona.
However, there could be some issues in the deal going through smoothly because of the financial aspects of the operation.
€10-15 million total package
According to the German outlet, the total package to sign Gabriel, including transfer fees, wages, and bonus payments, among others, could end up costing in excess of €10-15 million.
Previous reports suggested that Manchester United would seek a training compensation of €300,000, while the player’s camp was said to be seeking a seven-figure salary.
But, if the aforementioned report is to be believed, the total cost of the operation seems to be coming out much higher at around €10-15 million.
Such a figure for a player who has just turned 16 a week ago could be seen as excessive despite the potential and talent he possesses.
It will be interesting to see how things evolve in this transfer saga as Gabriel remains determined to leave Manchester United and is angling a move to Spain, putting Real Madrid and Barcelona in the driving seat.
