Real Madrid News
The kit numbers Real Madrid’s new signings want to wear – report
Real Madrid are completely shaking up their squad with new signings and have already completed the arrivals of Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella.
With the new arrivals, however, comes an unsurprising battle for kit numbers at the club, especially given how very limited numbers are available in the first team.
Given that every player has a sentimental attachment to their kit number for club and country, it is close to impossible to keep all players happy with the allocation although the best effort will be made to maintain internal harmony.
Defensa Central shed a light on the current situation and preferences.
Two free numbers on the scene
Two major departures at Real Madrid this summer were those of David Alaba and Daniel Carvajal, both of whom left as free agents at the end of their respective contracts.
The numbers 4 and 2 that the Austrian and Spanish veteran respectively donned, thus, are up for grabs.
Dumfries, Real Madrid’s new right-back signing, is keen on taking up Carvajal’s number 2 and understandably so. After all, the number has traditionally been associated with right-backs and he is arriving as a direct replacement.
Alaba’s number 4, however, is part of a longer domino chain. Dean Huijsen, who currently dons the number 24, is pushing to take up the Austrian star’s number.
Should he be allotted that and his number be rendered vacant, Marc Cucurella wishes to don the number 24. He was Chelsea’s number 22, but that number is taken by Antonio Rudiger at Real Madrid.
Battle for other kits
Beyond the situation of the number 2 and 4 kits, Real Madrid’s new midfield signing Bernardo Silva has a preference for the number 20.
That kit, however, belongs to Fran Garcia at Real Madrid who is currently linked with an exit from the club. Should the full-back leave, Silva will thus take his kit. Otherwise, another domino effect is likely to be triggered.
Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, has it simpler and is ready to take up the number 19 which is free after Dani Ceballos’ departure. The trade is straightforward and will likely unfold without complications.
The administration, thus, have a task on their hands to ensure the said shuffling goes through with minimal conflict ahead of the new season.
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.
