Real Madrid News
Serie A president suggests €110 million striker could have signed for Real Madrid
Real Madrid did not go into the 2023 summer transfer window with any plans to bring in a superstar forward. They intended to spend €100 million-plus on Jude Bellingham while trying to cover other holes in the team with limited money.
However, Karim Benzema’s decision to leave the club on a free transfer to join Al-Ittihad came as a huge shock to them. Everyone at the club expected him to stay for another season, after which they would assess that position.
And while Bellingham has taken over the major chunk of the goalscoring responsibility at the club, Joselu was brought in as the striker replacement.
Madrid were also targeting other players at the time, who could fill in the void, among which was of course, Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman refused to leave Paris this summer, once again, though.
Another player on Madrid’s radar was Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Coming off a spectacular season, leading them to the Serie A trophy while scoring 26 goals and assisting four, he was expected to be his on his way to bigger things.
Eventually, he ended up staying, despite interest from several top clubs. Napoli president, in fact, suggested an interest from Madrid from last summer.
“We knew that, otherwise talks over new deal would not have been that long. Probably last summer he was gonna join Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or an English club,” Aurelio de Laurentiis said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Earlier this week, the Nigerian spoke to CBS (h/t Romano), and revealed that he has already decided where he wants to play next season. He is expected to disclose the information once the 2023/24 season closes.
“I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take”, Osimhen said.
Osimhen is expected to cost well over €100 million, which Madrid will be able to afford. However, it is clear that their first priority is Mbappe, who could be available on a free transfer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
