Real Madrid News
Saudi giants want to team up Messi and Benzema next season – report
Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are making ambitious plans for the summer transfer window. After Al Nassr roped in Cristiano Ronaldo in January, their rivals have been making efforts to bring in superstars from European football.
And, according to the Independent, Al Hilal have grand plans of teaming up Real Madrid captain and icon Karim Benzema with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi at the club.
Benzema’s renewal at Real Madrid was believed to have been tied up until 2024 following his Ballon d’Or triumph.
However, the 35-year-old has a real chance of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu in the coming weeks itself thanks to the lucrative proposal that has arrived from Saudi.
As per the report, Benzema stands a chance to earn a mammoth €100 million per year if he were to accept the offer from Al Hilal, which is he now seriously considering.
What would really be interesting is that fans might get a chance to see Benzema potentially team up with Messi at the club and they would be taking on Ronaldo. However, at this point, deals for Benzema and Messi are not yet closed.
The Real Madrid captain is understood to have asked the club for time to think and could arrive at a decision by the weekend.
In case he does end up making the jump to the Saudi Pro League, Real Madrid will have to dip their toes in the market for a replacement. Names such as Roberto Firmino, Harry Kane, and Victor Osimhen are being talked up as possible candidates.
All in all, an important week awaits Benzema and Real Madrid which could set the course for the club’s transfer plans this summer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid full-back never considered summer exit, would retire at club if given chance
Ferland Mendy finds himself in a difficult situation at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has struggled with injury and fitness woes for a large part of the past year, leading to doubts over his future at the club.
In fact, it had been reported that Los Blancos were considering selling Mendy during the summer transfer window earlier this year itself.
But, such a move did not materialise and the 28-year-old has stayed put at the Santiago Bernabeu although reports suggest that he is likely to be on the move next year.
Mendy would retire at Real Madrid if he could
Despite there having been numerous reports about his future in the summer, The Athletic reports that Mendy did not consider the possibility of an exit at any point.
In fact, the report adds that if given a chance, the 28-year-old defender would retire at Real Madrid.
Mendy’s contract with Los Merengues expires in 2025 and he is understood to be seeking a renewal for a while now, but there has been no move made by the club.
The injuries that the 28-year-old has picked up are understood to be a major deterrent for Real Madrid, which is why they are already looking to reinforce the left-back position with Alphonso Davies next year.
Mendy enjoys Ancelotti’s trust
Despite the non-stop speculations surrounding him, Mendy continues to enjoy the full trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Indeed, as per the report, the Italian tactician has informed the Frenchman that he is the left-back that best fits the defensive requirements needed in the team.
Ancelotti’s decision to bench Fran Garcia in the UEFA Champions League game even though Mendy was unavailable and start David Alaba at left-back was taken as an indicator within the dressing room that the Frenchman remains the first-choice in the position.
So, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the coming months, especially with Ancelotti’s future also uncertain as his contract expires in 2024.
