Madrid Universal

Real Madrid will have to shell out at least €70 million for Tottenham Hotspur ace

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Real Madrid’s interest in Tottenham Hotspur full-back Pedro Porro has been a subject of discussion recently, as highlighted by David Alonso in AS.

While Porro is a strong candidate to bolster Madrid’s defensive line, the biggest challenge lies in the financial demands of his Premier League club.

The Spanish giants have been monitoring Porro for some time, and it is clear that the player himself is intrigued by their interest.

Porro has often been discussed as a potential successor to Dani Carvajal in Madrid’s plans. However, Real Madrid are also weighing their options, including Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is an attractive choice due to his exceptional attacking capabilities.

Financial difficulty in signing Porro

Despite his strengths, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performances have raised concerns. His contract runs until 2025, making him a prominent candidate for the right-back role.

On the other hand, Porro offers a more balanced profile, particularly in his defensive game, but his cost is significantly higher. Tottenham signed him from Sporting for €47.5 million less than two years ago, and his contract doesn’t expire until 2028.

This is a reason enough for Tottenham to protect their prized asset and in that regard, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will certainly not accept anything less than €70 million for the Spaniard.

Competition for Porro

Adding to the complexity is the intense competition for Porro’s signature. Reports suggest that Manchester United could also pursue the Spaniard.

Ruben Amorim, who previously coached Porro at Sporting CP, shares an excellent relationship with the defender, which could play a crucial role in Manchester United’s plans.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s sporting director Hugo Viana, who was instrumental in bringing Porro to Portugal during his time at Sporting, may also factor into the equation.

Porro has already welcomed a move to Real Madrid. However, navigating the obstacles presented by Levy’s tough negotiating stance and Alexander-Arnold’s availability remains a daunting task for Madrid.

A recent report from Fichajes has revealed that three major clubs—AC Milan, Juventus, and Liverpool—are competing for the signature of Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz.

The Spanish player has had a turbulent time since returning to Madrid after a successful loan spell at AC Milan, where he was a standout performer.

While his time with Milan saw him become an integral part of the team, his return has not had the desired effect, with limited playing time and fewer opportunities.

Severe interest from Italy

AC Milan, where Brahim flourished for three seasons, are reportedly interested in bringing him back. His creativity and ability to perform in critical moments made him a key figure at San Siro.

The Milan board is considering a reunion, offering him a guaranteed starting role and a familiar environment where he previously enjoyed success. This could be an attractive option for Brahim, who is familiar with the club’s playing style and culture.

Juventus, now under coach Thiago Motta, are another club that see the Moroccan as a valuable asset. The Italian side is looking for a versatile attacking player who can operate both on the wings and in central positions, and Brahim fits this description.

His flexibility and technical skills make him an ideal addition to Juventus, who are aiming to strengthen their offensive play and add more creativity to their squad.

Then there is Liverpool

Lastly, Liverpool is also showing interest in the 25-year-old, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal.

Their manager Arne Slot reportedly sees Brahim as an exciting option for the Reds, valuing his vision, dynamism, and ability to make things happen on the field. If Brahim moves to Liverpool, he could play a significant role in their attacking line-up.

Despite the growing interest from these clubs, Real Madrid have made it clear that Brahim is still an important part of their plans.

With several injuries in the squad, Madrid may need his depth and versatility as they go through a busy season. However, his future at the club remains uncertain, with these three top clubs eager to secure his services for the upcoming transfer windows.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.

Tottenham Hotspur identify replacement for Real Madrid-linked defender

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Tottenham Hotspur are already planning for a future without Pedro Porro, as the young right-back has caught the attention of Real Madrid, according to a recent report by Mundo Deportivo.

With Porro’s name appearing on Madrid’s radar, Tottenham are actively searching for potential replacements and one name that has emerged as a possibility is Andrei Ratiu, a rising star at Rayo Vallecano.

Ratiu has impressed many with his performances this season, quickly becoming one of the standout players in La Liga.

Important days for Real Madrid

The next few months are set to be significant for the right-back position across Europe, with several key moves expected.

A major point of focus is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future. The Liverpool full-back’s contract is set to expire in June, and his next move is the subject of much speculation.

Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation, as they too are in need of a right-back, especially with Dani Carvajal currently sidelined for an unknown period. At the moment, Madrid only has Lucas Vazquez, who is primarily a winger, filling in at right-back.

Should Alexander-Arnold choose to stay at Liverpool, Real Madrid may turn their attention to Pedro Porro as a viable option to bolster their defensive ranks.

Tottenham in trouble

This would leave Tottenham in a difficult position, potentially losing a key player they brought in during January 2023. As a result, Tottenham have shifted focus to Ratiu, who has made a strong impression with Rayo Vallecano this season.

The Romanian full-back has played in nine matches, contributing with one goal and one assist. Ratiu has a release clause of €25 million, a relatively low figure considering his potential.

His development has been rapid, and there is plenty of room for him to continue growing. Rayo Vallecano, however, hopes to keep him until at least the summer, as they recognise his importance to the team.

Real Madrid dished out their best performance of the season against Osasuna earlier today at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring four goals past the Pamplona-based side.

The game was reminiscent of the team’s form last season as Vinicius Jr starred with a stunning hat-trick while Jude Bellingham also found the back of the net for the first time this season.

While positives were abundant, it was also a very costly night for Los Blancos, as three players—Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Lucas Vazquez — went off injured during the game.

Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media after Real Madrid’s day out against Osasuna, and needless to say, began by speaking on the elephant in the room – the three injuries.

“They’re evaluating the 3 injuries right now,” he said.

Vinicius makes the difference

The manager laid special praise on the biggest positive takeaway on the night – Vinicius Jr’s hat-trick.

“For us, Vinicius is a player who makes a difference. He has done it again today just like other times. The Golden Ball gala is a small detail that has not affected him.”

“Many times they come to the bench to celebrate. Vinicius is a player who scores and will continue to make a difference. He is a very important player for us,” he added.

He even gave his two cents on Jude Bellingham who finally scored his first goal of the season.

“Bellingham? The goal is a small part of a game that he played very well defensively and offensively. The goal was a reward.”

On young Raul Asencio who made his debut for the senior team on the night and struck gold with an assist, he stated that the youngster would be important going forward.

“Raul has played very well, with personality and has given the assist in the second goal. It has been a nice surprise and we have to thank the work they have done with him in Castilla. He’s a player we need right now.”

He also spoke on the possibility of roping in more players from the academy and named players who interested him.

“We are evaluating right-backs like Fortea, Loren or Melvin. They are players who are not ready yet, but who can be part of the team as Raul (Asencio) has done today.”

“The pity is that centres like Jacobo and Joan Martínez have been injured. Raul has done very well in Castilla and now he will be with us,” he added.

A lot had been said about Kylian Mbappe’s struggles in recent weeks, but the manager retained confidence in the Frenchman and praised him for tangible improvement.

“Mbappe made a lot of great moves. It’s a matter of time before he scores again.”

Ancelotti is happy with the team’s performance

Commenting on his team’s overall play on the night and what made his side special, he said,

“The great thing about this team is that they’re not just players but also die-hard fans of Real Madrid.”

With a win after two straight defeats, Ancelotti emphasised what his side did differently against Osasuna, saying,

“The game has been good. We started controlling it well, without too much hurry and when we opened the score with Vinicius the game went well.”

“The team showed a good version, with more attitude and commitment. The problem is the three injuries of the first part, which we are now evaluating,” he added.

On what the X-factor was one the night, Ancelotti said,

“The team has improved its attitude at the defensive level, we have been orderly, without risks, and with a good collective commitment. That’s what has made the difference in the game.”

Ancelotti’s words on the three injuries

The Italian gaffer also utilised the stage to lash out at the hectic calendar and how it was not normal to face so many injuries.

“Three injuries in the 1st half is not normal. This calendar doesn’t allow players to rest.”

With three fresh injury blows, Ancelotti was asked if the winter transfer market was finally turning into a serious opportunity for Los Blancos.

“We will evaluate in the coming months because now there is nothing to do. We must try to recover the maximum possible players and we will evaluate what can be done.”

“I don’t think about the transfer market because we have games until the Christmas break. I have to prepare the games with the players I have,” he continued.

Source: Real Madrid

Tottenham weighing up January swoop for Real Madrid youngster – report

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Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler is set to become a much-discussed topic as the January transfer window approaches.

The 19-year-old prodigy has once again found minutes hard to come by under Carlo Ancelotti even though he has done well every time he has been granted an opportunity.

Even though the team has lacked creativity and can use the presence of someone like Guler, the Italian tactician has been reluctant to trust the youngster, leading to question marks over his future.

Recent reports suggest that Guler is not frustrated about his situation at Real Madrid and remains firm on wanting to succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But if the situation does not improve, a potential exit in January, possibly on loan, could become an option.

Tottenham interested

Amidst this, Fichajes reports that Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have shown some interest in signing Arda Guler from Real Madrid in January.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is said to be scouring the market for a new midfield reinforcement in the winter and has two options – Guler and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.

As per the report, Real Madrid would not be averse to an exit as they would prefer to see the Turkish prodigy get some minutes under his belt on loan in a highly-competitive atmosphere like the Premier League.

However, Postecoglou might not be completely on board with the idea of a loan signing as he would prefer a player who can arrive and establish himself as a part of the long-term project at Tottenham.

So, it remains to be seen whether this reported interest in Guler from Spurs leads to something or not. The youngster will not be short of options if the doors are indeed opened to a loan exit in January, with his former team Fenerbahce also keen.

In recent days, much has been said about Kylian Mbappe’s struggle to adapt to Real Madrid and the seeming inability of manager Carlo Ancelotti to integrate the French forward into his system.

While it is true that there have been some challenges surrounding Mbappe’s transition, as former striker Karim Benzema pointed out, it is becoming clear that the bigger issues at Real Madrid go far beyond just the Frenchman.

In fact, focusing solely on Mbappe might be missing the point—Real Madrid’s real problems lie elsewhere.

At the heart of Madrid’s struggles is a midfield that lacks consistency and a shockingly fragile defence.

To understand the severity of the situation, it is important to highlight that this is the first time since 2009 that Real Madrid have suffered consecutive home defeats, while also conceding three or more goals in each match.

This statistic alone paints a clear picture of the team’s defensive issues.

A defence that does not defend

Over the last two games, Madrid have conceded seven goals, which has led to back-to-back losses. These results have had serious consequences, especially considering how vital both domestic and international competitions are for the club.

Not only has the team failed to secure victories in these crucial games, but the way they have fallen short—particularly with the heavy scorelines—has been nothing short of scandalous.

The losses have left Madrid in a vulnerable position both in La Liga and the Champions League. To make matters worse, this marks the third loss for the team this season, which is already more defeats than the entire previous season (which saw only two losses).

Real Madrid’s drop in form is not just about style of play anymore—it is now affecting the results, and that is something the team, the management, and the fans cannot ignore.

Losing connection with the fans

To make matters worse, the team has conceded 18 goals in the 16 matches they have played this season. This has placed the defence under intense scrutiny. It is no secret that the team’s current form is far from ideal and conceding so many goals is a significant burden.

At this moment, collective responsibility in both attacking and defending must be taken. Madrid’s defence has to tighten up, and the players must keep their heads high, as the season is still long, and the team always fights until the very end.

The situation has caused growing concern at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the supporters have started to show signs of frustration.

The team’s disconnection from the fans was clearly evident during the second half of their latest match. There is no doubt that Madrid are under pressure, and with each passing game, the anxiety in the stands increases.

Currently, Real Madrid are trailing their arch-rivals Barcelona by nine points in La Liga. This gap, coupled with their underwhelming performances in Europe, has placed the team in a particularly precarious position.

The club find itself in uncharted waters, and the road ahead looks incredibly challenging. To put it simply, Real Madrid’s woes are much bigger than Mbappe’s adaptation problems.

The focus must shift to fixing the deeper, systemic issues within the team, especially the leaky defence and the lack of cohesion in midfield.

With the league and Champions League both still very much in play, Ancelotti and his squad need to find a solution quickly, or risk falling further behind their rivals.