Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos face competition for RB Leipzig star, club want Florian Wirtz, and more - October 14, 2024
Real Madrid are preparing to face Celta Vigo in LaLiga on Saturday, October 19. Carlo Ancelotti's team are second in the league after nine games, three points adrift of bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of the pile.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos will face competition from the Premier League for the services of an RB Leipzig defender. Elsewhere, the Spanish champions have set their sights on Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from October 14, 2024.
Real Madrid face competition for Castello Lukeba
Real Madrid will face competition from Liverpool and Aston Villa for the services of Castello Lukeba, according to Fichajes.net. Los Blancos are preparing for defensive reinforcements in 2025 after missing out on Leny Yoro this year.
The LaLiga giants have reportedly identified Lukeba as an option. The French defender has caught the imagination of clubs across Europe following a series of stellar performances for RB Leipzig.
This season, Lukeba has appeared eight times for the Bundesliga giants, seven of which have been starts. Real Madrid are pleased with his efforts and believe he could be a fine partner for Eder Militao at the heart of the backline. Antonio Rudiger will turn 32 in March 2025.
However, Liverpool are already plotting to ruin their plans. The Merseyside club are in the market for a new defender to replace Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires next summer. The Dutchman is already on the wrong side of 30 and could opt for a new adventure at the end of this season. The Reds have identified Lukeba as an option to fill Van Dijk's shoes at Anfield.
Aston Villa also have their eyes on the 21-year-old, whose contract at the Red Bull Arena runs until 2028. Leipzig are likely to let him go for €60 million next year.
Los Blancos want Florian Wirtz
Real Madrid have identified Florian Wirtz as the ideal successor for Luka Modric, according to AS. The German midfielder was a wanted man this summer, following his exploits with Bayer Leverkusen.
While Wirtz opted to stay at the BayArena, he is expected to take the next step in his career at the end of this season. The LaLiga giants are keeping a close eye on his situation and believe he could help in succession plans for Modric.
The veteran midfielder's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of this season. Modric turned 39 last month and isn't expected to continue much longer.
Los Blancos have had their eyes on Wirtz for a while and want to secure his services next summer. However, there's a huge interest in the 21-year-old, who is under contract with the Bundesliga champions until 2027. Leverkusen are likely to demand around €150 million to let him go.
Real Madrid considering Rafa Marin return
Real Madrid are considering bringing Rafa Marin back to the Santiago Bernabeu, according to Fichajes.net. The highly-rated Spanish defender left Los Blancos this summer to join Napoli, but the move hasn't lived up to expectations.
Marin has struggled for game time with the Italian giants and is yet to make his debut in Serie A. His solitary appearance has come in the Coppa Italia and the player is understandably frustrated by the situation.
The LaLiga giants are keeping a close eye on developments at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium as they face defensive challenges of their own. David Alaba is yet to return to full fitness following the ACL injury picked up last season.
Real Madrid are now a little light at the back and are looking for solutions in the market. The club have a €25 million buyback clause in Marin's contract, which they could plan to exercise in 2025.