1 month ago
The second half of Real Madrid's summer transfer window was headlined by Jose Mourinho's incessant demands for a second centre-back signing.
While the club did sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer, the new manager saw a real need for a second starting-quality central defender, especially given Eder Militao's uncertain fitness and Antonio Rudiger's age.
One of the players who Mourinho saw as a top target, on that front, was Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni who will play at the Santiago Bernabeu later today in the first game week of the UEFA Champions League.
In a recent update, Diario AS confirm the reasons why Real Madrid did not end up signing Bastoni this summer despite the player being Mourinho's top target.
For starters, Inter Milan refused to let the player leave this summer for even a dime less than €70 million, and even the player was in no hurry to leave the club.
#player #bastoni #target
While the club did sign Ibrahima Konate in the summer, the new manager saw a real need for a second starting-quality central defender, especially given Eder Militao's uncertain fitness and Antonio Rudiger's age.
One of the players who Mourinho saw as a top target, on that front, was Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni who will play at the Santiago Bernabeu later today in the first game week of the UEFA Champions League.
In a recent update, Diario AS confirm the reasons why Real Madrid did not end up signing Bastoni this summer despite the player being Mourinho's top target.
For starters, Inter Milan refused to let the player leave this summer for even a dime less than €70 million, and even the player was in no hurry to leave the club.
#player #bastoni #target
2 months ago
After winning the first two games of the new season, against Espanyol on the road and Real Sociedad at home, Real Madrid are set to face the newly-promoted Malaga in their next La Liga game, which is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
The Merengues have already been training for this game for some days, and Jose Mourinho held the latest training session ahead of this game on Saturday. As has been the case since the start of the season, the Portuguese coach will remain without several players, including Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo, and Endrick.
Tchouameni and Endrick's cases are not as severe as those of the other mentioned players, but they are still not at a competitive fitness level, and thus are highly likely to miss the game against Malaga. The other players continue to recover from their longer-term injuries. As a result, Mourinho called up several players from the academy, including Sergio Mestre, Mario Rivas, Cestero, and Alexis Ciria to fill up his ranks.
Meanwhile, Diario AS reports that there was another surprising presence at Valdebebas during this training session, i.e., the Real Madrid legend, Sergio Ramos. The former Merengue defender and captain visited the club's training facilities during this session.
The Spaniard is currently without a club after having ended his time with the Mexican side Monterrey. Several years after his departure from the Spanish capital, he still remains one of the most beloved players in the history of the white club.
#several
The Merengues have already been training for this game for some days, and Jose Mourinho held the latest training session ahead of this game on Saturday. As has been the case since the start of the season, the Portuguese coach will remain without several players, including Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo, and Endrick.
Tchouameni and Endrick's cases are not as severe as those of the other mentioned players, but they are still not at a competitive fitness level, and thus are highly likely to miss the game against Malaga. The other players continue to recover from their longer-term injuries. As a result, Mourinho called up several players from the academy, including Sergio Mestre, Mario Rivas, Cestero, and Alexis Ciria to fill up his ranks.
Meanwhile, Diario AS reports that there was another surprising presence at Valdebebas during this training session, i.e., the Real Madrid legend, Sergio Ramos. The former Merengue defender and captain visited the club's training facilities during this session.
The Spaniard is currently without a club after having ended his time with the Mexican side Monterrey. Several years after his departure from the Spanish capital, he still remains one of the most beloved players in the history of the white club.
#several
2 months ago
Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu tonight as they host Real Sociedad in their postponed Matchday 1 fixture, with Jose Mourinho looking to make it two La Liga wins from two.
Madrid opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Espanyol, where Jude Bellingham scored before summer signing Carlos Espi grabbed a dramatic late winner.
Mourinho will now take charge of his first competitive game at the Bernabeu since returning to the club. The manager still has several absentees to contend with.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Endrick remain unavailable after continuing to train away from the group, while Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch are also out.
Mourinho has nevertheless named a strong 23-man squad, with Eduardo Camavinga available and youngsters Jorge Cestero, Alexis Ciria and Mario Rivas included.
#sociedad #liga
Madrid opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Espanyol, where Jude Bellingham scored before summer signing Carlos Espi grabbed a dramatic late winner.
Mourinho will now take charge of his first competitive game at the Bernabeu since returning to the club. The manager still has several absentees to contend with.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Endrick remain unavailable after continuing to train away from the group, while Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch are also out.
Mourinho has nevertheless named a strong 23-man squad, with Eduardo Camavinga available and youngsters Jorge Cestero, Alexis Ciria and Mario Rivas included.
#sociedad #liga
2 months ago
Real Madrid's injury list remains a concern at the start of the season, but there is growing optimism at Valdebebas over the progress of two important Brazilian players.
Eder Militao is moving closer to his return and has already started running on the training pitches and working with the ball.
Rodrygo, meanwhile, has reached a significant point in his own rehabilitation, with five months now completed since his serious knee injury.
According to AS, the pair have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, as Militao is expected to be the first of the two to return, with the centre-back currently targeting a comeback after the next international break.
Rodrygo's wait will be considerably longer, but the Real Madrid forward has now reached the halfway stage of a recovery process expected to last at least 10 months.
#militao #return #expected
Eder Militao is moving closer to his return and has already started running on the training pitches and working with the ball.
Rodrygo, meanwhile, has reached a significant point in his own rehabilitation, with five months now completed since his serious knee injury.
According to AS, the pair have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, as Militao is expected to be the first of the two to return, with the centre-back currently targeting a comeback after the next international break.
Rodrygo's wait will be considerably longer, but the Real Madrid forward has now reached the halfway stage of a recovery process expected to last at least 10 months.
#militao #return #expected
2 months ago
Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy all started Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Atalanta in Warsaw in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup. Kylian Mbappé had just arrived and scored on his debut, and Madrid appeared to be entering another dominant cycle. The reality that followed in the next two years was brutal.
According to Transfermarkt, Militão has missed 90 matches for club and country since the start of the 2024-25 season after suffering ACL injuries in both knees. Over the same period, Mendy has dealt with nine separate injuries and missed 55 matches for Real Madrid. Rodrygo has missed 30 matches since the beginning of 2024-25 and is currently recovering from an ACL injury of his own.
Arancha Rodríguez reported that Rodrygo is expected to return in early 2027. Militão could be back by late September or early October this year, while Mendy's return is currently projected for around the end of the year.
As per Capology, Rodrygo's fixed gross annual salary, excluding bonuses, is €16.67 million. Éder Militão earns €14.58 million, while Ferland Mendy earns €10.42 million. All three contracts run until June 30, 2028.
Together, those contracts account for 14.12% of Real Madrid's current salary bill for 2026-27 and 16.13% for 2027-28. The latter figure is naturally subject to change depending on the club's transfer activity in the summer of 2027.
#since
According to Transfermarkt, Militão has missed 90 matches for club and country since the start of the 2024-25 season after suffering ACL injuries in both knees. Over the same period, Mendy has dealt with nine separate injuries and missed 55 matches for Real Madrid. Rodrygo has missed 30 matches since the beginning of 2024-25 and is currently recovering from an ACL injury of his own.
Arancha Rodríguez reported that Rodrygo is expected to return in early 2027. Militão could be back by late September or early October this year, while Mendy's return is currently projected for around the end of the year.
As per Capology, Rodrygo's fixed gross annual salary, excluding bonuses, is €16.67 million. Éder Militão earns €14.58 million, while Ferland Mendy earns €10.42 million. All three contracts run until June 30, 2028.
Together, those contracts account for 14.12% of Real Madrid's current salary bill for 2026-27 and 16.13% for 2027-28. The latter figure is naturally subject to change depending on the club's transfer activity in the summer of 2027.
#since
2 months ago
Ibrahima Konate has barely arrived at Real Madrid, but circumstances could already hand him one of the biggest opportunities available to a new signing: a place in the starting XI for the opening La Liga match against Espanyol.
According to AS, injuries to Eder Militao and Raul Asencio have left Jose Mourinho with limited options at the heart of the defence.
Konate's arrival, therefore, comes at a particularly useful moment for the club.
The Frenchman completed his first training session with his new teammates on Monday and arrived in excellent physical condition.
That immediately puts him in contention for the trip to Espanyol, especially with further uncertainty surrounding Dean Huijsen.
#espanyol #arrived #konate #according
According to AS, injuries to Eder Militao and Raul Asencio have left Jose Mourinho with limited options at the heart of the defence.
Konate's arrival, therefore, comes at a particularly useful moment for the club.
The Frenchman completed his first training session with his new teammates on Monday and arrived in excellent physical condition.
That immediately puts him in contention for the trip to Espanyol, especially with further uncertainty surrounding Dean Huijsen.
#espanyol #arrived #konate #according
2 months ago
Jose Mourinho wants Alessandro Bastoni at Real Madrid, but convincing the club to make another major investment in defence could prove more difficult than convincing the Inter Milan defender himself.
According to journalist Ruben Martin, Mourinho has personally spoken with Bastoni and views the Italian international as an ideal addition to his squad.
It is said that the Real Madrid manager reportedly sees the need for another centre-back as more urgent than strengthening the midfield.
That stance is largely driven by the uncertainty surrounding Eder Militao's recovery and concerns over Antonio Rudiger's current level.
This is why Mourinho wants another high-quality defender he can rely on immediately, and Bastoni's name has moved to the top of his thinking.
#bastoni #wants #convincing #jose
According to journalist Ruben Martin, Mourinho has personally spoken with Bastoni and views the Italian international as an ideal addition to his squad.
It is said that the Real Madrid manager reportedly sees the need for another centre-back as more urgent than strengthening the midfield.
That stance is largely driven by the uncertainty surrounding Eder Militao's recovery and concerns over Antonio Rudiger's current level.
This is why Mourinho wants another high-quality defender he can rely on immediately, and Bastoni's name has moved to the top of his thinking.
#bastoni #wants #convincing #jose
4 months ago
Real Madrid have moved with unusual speed this summer. According to The Athletic, the club have already positioned themselves to sign Denzel Dumfries for his €20million release clause at Inter, completed a €60m deal for Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, and secured Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva on free transfers.
That is not window dressing. That is squad architecture. It is the sort of recruitment drive that says Madrid are not merely refreshing a team, they are trying to construct one capable of surviving every pressure point of a long season.
Now, though, the emphasis has shifted. Sources have indicated that Madrid's priority is to now move some players on, before any further additions. In modern football, ambition often has to pause for administration. Wages, squad places and pathway planning matter almost as much as glamour.
The defensive work looks particularly significant. With David Alaba and Dani Carvajal leaving at the end of the month, and Eder Militao not expected back until September at the earliest, Madrid needed experience and certainty.
Cucurella gives them intensity and Premier League seasoning. Konate adds power, recovery pace and elite-level experience. Dumfries, regarded by senior club sources as a completed signing, brings direct running and physical presence at right-back.
That is not window dressing. That is squad architecture. It is the sort of recruitment drive that says Madrid are not merely refreshing a team, they are trying to construct one capable of surviving every pressure point of a long season.
Now, though, the emphasis has shifted. Sources have indicated that Madrid's priority is to now move some players on, before any further additions. In modern football, ambition often has to pause for administration. Wages, squad places and pathway planning matter almost as much as glamour.
The defensive work looks particularly significant. With David Alaba and Dani Carvajal leaving at the end of the month, and Eder Militao not expected back until September at the earliest, Madrid needed experience and certainty.
Cucurella gives them intensity and Premier League seasoning. Konate adds power, recovery pace and elite-level experience. Dumfries, regarded by senior club sources as a completed signing, brings direct running and physical presence at right-back.
4 months ago
June 18 (UPI) -- Real Madrid signed former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate to a four-year contract, the Spanish La Liga soccer franchise announced Thursday.
Konate, 27, spent the last five seasons with the Reds. He totaled seven goals and four ****** ists over 183 appearances for the English Premier League franchise. Konate won the Premier League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and an FA Community Shield while with the Reds.
He is among a series of big signings for Madrid, who previously reached agreements with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella.
Konate arrival follows the departure of veteran defenders David Alaba and Dani Carvajal, who left Madrid this off-season. Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao are among Madrid's other defenders.
Konate, who also spent time at RB Leipzig and Sochaux, is currently part of France's World Cup squad. He did not play in their 3-1 group stage win over Senegal on Tuesday in East Rutherford, N.J.
Konate, 27, spent the last five seasons with the Reds. He totaled seven goals and four ****** ists over 183 appearances for the English Premier League franchise. Konate won the Premier League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and an FA Community Shield while with the Reds.
He is among a series of big signings for Madrid, who previously reached agreements with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella.
Konate arrival follows the departure of veteran defenders David Alaba and Dani Carvajal, who left Madrid this off-season. Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao are among Madrid's other defenders.
Konate, who also spent time at RB Leipzig and Sochaux, is currently part of France's World Cup squad. He did not play in their 3-1 group stage win over Senegal on Tuesday in East Rutherford, N.J.
