Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Jude Bellingham eyeing reunion at Los Blancos, Liverpool enter Florian Wirtz race, and more - September 24, 2024
Real Madrid welcome Deportivo Alaves to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday (September 24) in La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti's team arrive at the game in impressive form as they are unbeaten across competitions this season.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is eager for his countryman to join Los Blancos. Elsewhere, the Spanish champions will face competition from Liverpool in the race for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from September 24, 2024.
Jude Bellingham eyeing reunion at Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham is pushing Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid in 2025, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez. The English right-back is already in the final year of his contract with Liverpool, who are yet to tie him down to a new deal.
The 25-year-old has apparently been identified as a candidate to eventually replace Dani Carvajal at the Santiago Bernabeu. The veteran Spaniard is on the wrong side of 30 and his contract with Los Blancos expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The La Liga giants are expected to hand Carvajal an extension, given his consistency. However, Alexander-Arnold represents the future and could be a fantastic successor for the 32-year-old.
The move has support from Bellingham, who enjoys a good rapport with his countryman. The 21-year-old is apparently trying to convince the Liverpool man to snub an extension with the Merseyside club and join Real Madrid in 2025.
Liverpool enter Florian Wirtz race
Liverpool have entered the race to sign Florian Wirtz, according to CaughtOffside. The German midfielder has caught the imagination of clubs across the continent following a fine season with Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz registered 18 goals and 20 assists from 49 games across competitions last season, helping Xabi Alonso's side win the Bundesliga as well as DFB Pokal. Real Madrid are already hot on his heels and want him at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Los Blancos will now face competition from the Merseyside giants for the 21-year-old. The German is apparently open to a move to the Premier League, which could complicate matters for the La Liga champions.
Real Madrid are yet to sign Toni Kroos' successor and believe that Wirtz could fit the role. The player is under contract with the German side until 2027 and is likely to cost over €100m next summer. Bayer, however, will be hoping that they can convince Wirtz as well as Alonso to stay for a few more years.
Ferland Mendy has extended his stay, says Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Ferland Mendy has signed a new deal with Real Madrid. The French left-back's future at the Santiago Bernabeu was under threat amid the club's pursuit of Bayern Munich speedster Alphonso Davies.
Mendy's contract with Los Blancos expires in 2025, further adding to speculations. However, it has always been reported that Ancelotti rates him highly and wants him to stay.
Speaking to the press, as relayed by Madrid Universal, the Italian manager heaped praise on the 29-year-old, saying:
“We are delighted here, he has renewed his contract. He is doing very well. His defensive level is at a very high level. It’s not that he has difficulties on the ball, it’s just that I don’t ask him to do the job that other full-backs do."
He continued:
“We have a very strong left winger, so there is no need to ask him to do a lot offensively. He could do it, but we don’t ask him to do it. It’s better that he stays at the back because sometimes he has to work at the back.”
Davies' potential arrival, however, could push Mendy down the pecking order.