Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Liverpool wanted Los Blancos duo, Andriy Lunin agrees new deal, and more - September 12, 2024
Real Madrid will be determined to pick up all three points when they face Real Sociedad at the Anoeta in La Liga on Saturday, September 14. Carlo Ancelotti's team have two wins and two draws from their opening four games of the season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were eyeing two Los Blancos stars in the recent transfer window. Elsewhere, Andriy Lunin has committed his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from September 12, 2024.
Liverpool wanted Real Madrid duo this summer
Liverpool were interested in Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodrygo Goes this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo. Both players have been key to Real Madrid's success in recent seasons and their efforts have earned them admirers at Anfield.
Rodrygo's future was the talk of the town all summer following Kylian Mbappe's arrival. The Reds were linked with a move, while Manchester City also had their eyes on the 23-year-old.
Meanwhile, Tchouameni has also earned plaudits after successfully replacing the legendary Casemiro at the Santiago Bernabeu. While he remains a first-team regular for Los Blancos, he also has suitors at clubs across the continent.
It is believed that Liverpool attempted to prise both players away this summer. Although the Merseyside giants submitted an inquiry for the duo, it was swiftly rejected by the La Liga champions.
Real Madrid made it clear that neither player was for sale and the Reds didn't place an official offer. However, the Premier League giants still have their eyes on Rodrygo and Tchouameni and could return for the duo.
Andriy Lunin agrees to new deal
Andriy Lunin has agreed to a new deal with Real Madrid, according to MARCA. The Ukrainian is already in the final year of his contract and speculation is ripe regarding his next move.
Lunin was heavily linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu over the summer. Chelsea were reportedly among the clubs interested in his services, but the 25-year-old stayed with the Spanish giants.
Lunin was outstanding for the club last season, stepping up to help cover for Thibaut Courtois. However, he was relegated to the bench once the Belgian returned to full fitness. The Ukrainian remains behind Courtois in the pecking order and is believed to be itching for regular football.
However, the La Liga champions were always clear that they wanted him to stay. They have been pushing for a renewal and have finally made a breakthrough. The 25-year-old has now agreed a four-year deal, although an official confirmation is awaited.
Jose Mourinho backs Arda Guler to excel at the Santiago Bernabeu
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho believes Arda Guler will have a great future at Real Madrid. The 19-year-old has struggled for game time since arriving from the Turkish club in the summer of 2023.
Guler impressed with Turkey at Euro 2024 and is highly regarded at the Santiago Bernabeu. He was heavily linked with an exit over the summer, but Los Blancos refused to let him go.
Speaking to the press, as cited by Madrid Universal, Mourinho insisted that the 19-year-old has all the ingredients to excel with the La Liga giants.
“Character is very important to play for Real Madrid, and Arda Guler shows this huge personality. Top quality. Ancelotti is a great coach to learn with. Arda is heading into a fantastic future,” said Mourinho.
“The biggest club in the world can only have the best players in the world. Real Madrid is doing an amazing job at getting the best young players in the world. They got Vinicius and Rodrygo as kids, they got Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler at a young age, now Endrick,” he added.
Guler has appeared four times this season under Carlo Ancelotti, but only one has been from the start.