Real Madrid News
Tottenham plan contract talks with €65 million-rated Real Madrid target
Given that their lack of depth in the centre-back department has once again been laid bare this season, Real Madrid plan on reinforcing the position in the summer of 2025.
And, one of the names on the reigning Spanish and European champions’ agenda happens to be that of Tottenham Hotspur mainstay Cristian Romero.
Real Madrid held an interest in Romero this past summer as well, although no movements were made after Spurs made it clear that their vice-captain was not for sale.
However, the Merengues continue to monitor the 26-year-old Argentine international, with a move for next summer on their minds.
Tottenham planning renewal talks
As such, in order to stave off interest from Real Madrid, Tottenham are planning to hold talks over a new contract for Cristian Romero, reports Fabrizio Romano via The Daily Briefing.
Romero, who has been with Spurs from 2021, has a contract at the north London club that runs until the summer of 2027.
No contact has taken place between Tottenham and Romero or his camp over a new deal thus far.
But, Romano adds that the Lilywhites are eager to hold on to the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner long-term and as such could start talks in the months to come.
Real Madrid need a centre-back
As mentioned before, Real Madrid will need to reinforce the centre-back department, considering both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are in their thirties and there are no certainties how the latter will return after almost a year out with an ACL injury.
Jesus Vallejo’s contract expires at the end of the season as well, creating further vacancy in the position.
Real Madrid have generally looked for younger players as part of their recruitment strategy of late. But, Romero, at 26, is entering the prime of his career and has proven himself in the Premier League and the world stage.
So, it will be interesting to see if they do pursue the Argentine international and whether Tottenham are successful in convincing him to sign a new deal to ward off Real Madrid.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
