Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos monitoring Liverpool ace; club eyeing Marc Guehi, and more - July 20, 2024
Real Madrid remain determined to upgrade their squad ahead of the new campaign. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has already roped in Kylian Mbappe and Endrick to bolster his attack and is expected to concentrate on other areas of the pitch next.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos are interested in Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants have set their sights on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
On that note, here's a look at the key Real Madrid transfer stories as on July 20, 2024:
Real Madrid monitoring Alexis Mac Allister
Real Madrid are interested in Alexis Mac Allister, according to his father Carlos Mac Allister. The Argentinean midfielder has been a first-team regular since arriving at Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
Mac Allister registered seven goals and seven assists in 46 games across competitions for the Merseyside club. With Los Blancos in the market for midfield reinforcements, the 25-year-old could be an option to consider.
However, speaking to Radio La Red, the player's father insisted that his son is happy at Anfield.
“Alexis is not thinking about leaving Liverpool. He has been there for a year. We know that Real Madrid is on the list. It is not easy to arrive at a club and play 40 games. Usually, you do it in 20 at the most, and Alexis is doing very well,” said Carlos Mac Allister.
Mac Allister is under contract with Liverpool till 2028, so a move is almost impossible this summer.
Los Blancos eyeing Marc Guehi
Real Madrid have kept a close eye on Marc Guehi for a while, according to journalist Lyall Thomas. The La Liga giants suffered a huge setback this summer, with long-term target Leny Yoro joining Manchester United.
Ancelotti is eager to sign a new defender this year after seeing Nacho Fernandez leave. The manager struggled with injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba last season, so he's eager to bolster his options at the back.
With Yoro no longer an option, Los Blancos have turned their attention to alternate targets. It now appears that they have been scouting Guehi for the past year. The Englishman enjoyed a decend rise with Crystal Palace recently.
He was also a key member of the Three Lions team that reached the Euro 2024 final. However, prising him away from Selhurst Park won't be easy. The player is under contract till 2026, and Palace are expected to demand £70 million to let him go. Real Madrid were reluctant to break the bank for Yoro, so a move for Guehi appears unlikely this summer.
Luka Modric opens up on captaincy
Luka Modric believes wearing the armband at the Santiago Bernabeu is a huge responsibility. The Croatian was in and out of Carlo Ancelotti's first team last season, and his contract had run out at the end of the campaign.
The 38-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. However, with Toni Kroos retiring, Real Madrid opted to keep hold of the veteran midfielder. Modric has been integral to the club's success in the past decade.
Although he's no longer the player he once was, the Croatian's experience is likely to be worth its weight in gold for Ancelotti's young side. The 38-year-old signed a one-year extension at the Santiago Bernabeu and was also handed the armband following Nacho Fernandez's departure.
Speaking recently, as cited by Madrid Universal, Modric said that wearing the armband for the La Liga giants is a special achievement.
“It’s a huge responsibility. When you see the leaders of Real Madrid over the years and being able to be captain of Real Madrid, it’s a very beautiful and special thing, and I’m very happy to be able to represent the team as a captain,” said Modric.
The Croatian has won 26 trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, tied for the most at the club with Nacho. The 38-year-old now has the chance to claim the record next season and is looking forward to it.
“Having the possibility of being the player who has won the most titles at Real Madrid is incredible.
"There are many titles waiting for the team, and there are a lot of hopes for me and the team. I am ready for what awaits me. I hope that we win a lot this season, and I want to be the player with the most titles,” said Modric.
He continued:
“I never imagined everything that happened to me, especially since I have been here for so many years, which is good, but training here, with so many young people who push you to work harder, makes you improve day by day. I can’t relax."
The upcoming campaign is likely to be Modric's last with Los Blancos.