Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos receive Erling Haaland boost, club not in talks for Liverpool ace, and more - July 18, 2024
Real Madrid are expected to make smart additions to the squad to continue their dominance in European football. Carlo Ancelotti's team won the league and the Champions League last season and got their hands on the Supercopa de Espana as well.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have received some good news in their plans to take Erling Haaland to the Santiago Bernabeu. Elsewhere, the La Liga champions are not in talks to sign an English right-back who plays for Liverpool.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from July 18, 2024.
Real Madrid receive Erling Haaland boost
Erling Haaland wants to move to Real Madrid, according to Fichajes.
The Norwegian striker is a long-term target for Los Blancos, who are expected to move for him in the near future.
The Spanish giants have always had an eye out for the best players in the world and signed Kylian Mbappe on a Bosman move this summer. Real Madrid were hot on the heels of the Frenchman for a while and his arrival could mark the start of a new 'Galactico' era.
It now appears that Haaland is keen to team up with Mbappe soon. A frontline of Mbappe, Haaland, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham could be as fearsome as the fabled Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo partnership.
A move this summer is next to impossible, with the player under a long-term contract with Manchester City. However, a transfer could materialize next summer, when Pep Guardiola is set to leave the Etihad and the La Liga giants will also have the finances to script a deal.
Los Blancos not in talks for Trent Alexander-Arnold, says Fabrizio Romano
Real Madrid are not working on a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The English right-back has been integral to Liverpool's recent success but has entered the final year of his contract.
Alexander-Arnold registered three goals and nine assists from 37 games across competitions last season. Los Blancos could be eyeing succession plans for Dani Carvajal, who is already on the wrong side of 30.
The Spaniard has enjoyed great success at the Santiago Bernabeu but is likely to slow down soon. Alexander-Arnold could be a fine successor for the veteran defender and recent reports have suggested that the La Liga giants are in talks to secure the England international's services.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano has refuted those claims.
“There’s no update on Trent Alexander-Arnold at the moment. I shared in March that Real Madrid are monitoring the situation and this remains the case, nothing fresh or new so far. Real Madrid are just attentive to many situations of good players with short contracts, Alexander-Arnold is one of them,” wrote Romano.
Carvajal is under contract until 2025 and is not expected to leave Real Madrid just yet.
Luka Modric extends stay
Luka Modric has signed a one-year extension at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have confirmed.
The veteran midfielder is already a Santiago Bernabeu legend and has been key to the club's rise in the last decade.
However, the Croatian is no longer a first-team regular under Carlo Ancelotti and struggled for chances last season. Modric appeared 46 times across competitions, with half of those being from the bench.
With the likes of Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga vying for a place in the starting XI, the 38-year-old's situation might not change next season. Modric's previous contract expired this summer and he was heavily linked with an exit.
However, the player has now opted to sign a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Toni Kroos gone, Ancelotti has opted to keep hold of Modric, whose experience could be crucial for a relatively young squad