Real Madrid News
Rival watch: Barcelona captain ruled out Real Madrid encounter with muscle injury
Just ten days remain before Real Madrid lock horns with their arch-rivals and reigning La Liga champions FC Barcelona for the first time this season.
Leading up to the game, Barça have been hit hard with a string of injuries to their players, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, and potentially Robert Lewandowski all set to miss the blockbuster clash.
Sergi Roberto out of El Clasico
Now, as per Toni Juanmarti of SPORT, Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto will also miss the match against Real Madrid next week due to injury.
Barcelona issued a statement confirming the 31-year-old’s injury earlier today, which read: “First team player Sergi Roberto has a soleus muscle injury in his right leg and will be unable to play until the problem goes away.”
Building on that, Toni Juanmarti is now claiming that Roberto will be out on the sidelines for a period of 2-3 weeks.
As such, the La Masia graduate, who is currently Barça’s first captain, will miss the clash against Real Madrid next week at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Roberto has not been a regular for Barcelona this season and even if he was fit and available, the 31-year-old would possibly have not been part of the starting lineup against Real Madrid.
But his experience and versatility make him a valuable asset for Barça, as was visible during their game against Granada, and they will now be without those qualities for the first El Clasico of the 2023/24 season.
Real Madrid have already opened up a three-point lead over their bitter rivals and given the injury issues at Barça, Carlo Ancelotti & co. might have the edge heading into the Clasico.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
