Real Madrid News
Serie A giants offer Real Madrid chance to sign their star man for €40m, club responds
In a fresh development reported by Defensa Central, AS Roma have directly offered Ivorian centre-back Evan N’Dicka to Real Madrid for a fee in the region of €40 million.
While Real Madrid are indeed on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, the timing and price of this offer have not aligned with the club’s current priorities.
The Italian club’s proposal reportedly came via its sporting directorate, fully aware that Real Madrid have made reinforcing their backline a priority after a season blighted by injuries.
With David Alaba and Eder Militao both suffering long-term injuries last season, the lack of depth became a glaring concern. As such, clubs across Europe have sensed opportunity, and Roma are no different.
N’Dicka, 25, fits the profile of a modern centre-back as he us physically strong, left-footed, composed in possession, and experienced at the top level through his time in both the Bundesliga and Serie A.
Real Madrid have already responded
Interestingly, Madrid’s immediate centre-back needs appear to have been addressed at least internally, following the €60 million signing of Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
The Spanish international is seen as a long-term bet with enormous potential, and he is expected to be integrated into the squad as a rotational option this season alongside Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio.
Additionally, with Rudiger back from injury, and Militao steadily progressing in recovery, Xabi Alonso has multiple options heading into the new campaign.
Add to this the presence of a versatile player like Aurelien Tchouameni, who can provide emergency cover, and it becomes clear that Real Madrid’s top brass are not desperate to reinforce the position any further, especially not at a €40 million price tag.
Roma’s valuation of N’Dicka is considered excessive by Real Madrid, particularly when the Italian side’s urgency to sell is well known.
Moreover, the club’s focus has shifted elsewhere, particularly in midfield and potentially in attack, meaning that another heavy investment in defence is not on the summer agenda.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
