Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos face competition for Serie A ace, club receive Alphonso Davies boost, and more - October 19, 2024
Real Madrid travel to the Balaidos on Saturday, October 19, to face Celta Vigo in LaLiga. Carlo Ancelotti's team are second in the league table with 21 points from nine games.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos are not the only club eyeing an Italian midfielder who plays for Torino. Elsewhere, the Spanish champions have received a boost in their efforts to secure the services of Alphonso Davies.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from October 19, 2024.
Real Madrid face competition for Samuele Ricci
Real Madrid will face competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Samuele Ricci, according to Mundo Deportivo. The LaLiga giants are laying down succession plans for Luka Modric and have their eyes on the Italian.
Carlo Ancelotti is apparently convinced by the 23-year-old and wants him on his squad next year. Los Blancos are contemplating a move at the end of the season, but City are threatening to ruin their plans.
The Premier League champions have reportedly identified Ricci as the ideal replacement for Rodri, who is out injured for the season. Manchester City now want to move for the Italian at the turn of the year.
Ricci has been outstanding for Torino of late and has already established himself in the Italy national team. He is under contract at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino until 2026, but the Serie A side are already working to extend his stay until 2029.
Los Blancos receive Alphonso Davies boost
Alphonso Davies has his heart set on joining Real Madrid, according to Bundesliga expert Christian Falk. The Canadian left-back will enter the final six months of his contract with Bayern Munich in January and hasn't agreed to a renewal yet.
Los Blancos are apparently eager to secure his services for free next summer. Recent reports have suggested that Manchester United have entered the race to sign the 23-year-old.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Falk insisted that the Red Devils are not in talks for Davies.
“Alphonso Davies is still dreaming of Real Madrid. Bayern Munich have taken a break on contract talks. They don’t want to engage in discussions with his agent, Nick Huoseh, any more, as they think the salary demands are too high. They don’t want to pay him over €20m a year," wrote Falk.
“If United are willing to pay this, they would be a big competitor for Real Madrid. At the moment, I heard of talks with Real Madrid but I’ve yet to hear the same for Manchester United. Of course, if a player like Davies is on the market, he’s also on the radar of United. If they’re searching for a player in that position, Davies would sit at the table,” he added.
Davies has appeared eight times across competitions for Bayern Munich this season, registering one assist.
Jeremie Frimpong open to Santiago Bernabeu move, says journalist
According to Christian Falk, Jeremie Frimpong is open to a move to Real Madrid. The Dutch right-back was outstanding for Bayer Leverkusen last season, registering 14 goals and 12 assists from 47 games in all competitions to help them pick up a domestic double.
This season, the 23-year-old has scored one goal and set up five more from 10 games across competitions. His efforts have turned heads at multiple clubs across the continent.
Los Blancos are already on the hunt for a new right-back and remain linked with a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, they could consider Frimpong as an alternative should they miss out on the Liverpool man.
In his column for Caught Offside, however, Falk added that the Dutchman is not in talks to leave the BayArena just yet.
“Jeremie Frimpong has a release clause of about €40m, so he’s absolutely affordable. Manchester United were previously far ahead in talks for Frimpong but in the end, they decided to pursue Mazraoui instead. It’s still a lot of money for a right-back but Bayer Leverkusen ultimately can’t do anything if a club is willing to pay this fee," wrote Falk.
“So, he would be open to a club like Real Madrid coming in for him. At the moment, however, we heard that it’s not a seriously concrete option. Of course, he’s a good player and he’s doing very well at Leverkusen, so he’d be an option for any top club searching in this position,” he added.
Frimpong's contract with the German champions expires in 2028.