Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos receive Leny Yoro boost, Nacho Fernandez set to leave, and more - June 23, 2024
Real Madrid are working to add more quality to their squad this summer. Carlo Ancelotti's team enjoyed great success in the 2023/24 campaign, but the Italian manager is eyeing further improvements ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have received a boost in their efforts to sign Leny Yoro this summer. Elsewhere, Nacho Fernandez is all set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this year.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from June 23, 2024.
Real Madrid receive Leny Yoro boost
Leny Yoro has informed Lille that he wants to join Real Madrid, according to The Athletic. The French defender is a long-term target for the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy, who are looking for a new defender this summer.
Yoro enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign, registering 44 appearances across competitions, 40 of which were starts. His efforts have also earned him admirers in the Premier League, with Liverpool and Manchester United vying for his signature.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) also have their eyes on the 18-year-old, whose contract with Lille expires in 2025. Yoro is reluctant to sign a new deal and is certain to be sold this summer.
Los Blancos remain hot on his heels, but recent reports have suggested that they are reluctant to match Lille's €60m valuation. The La Liga giants will only offer €30-40m for the player, preferring instead to wait for him to be available for free in 2025.
Yoro's other suitors could be willing to match Lille's expectations, but the player has informed the club that he wants to join Real Madrid.
Nacho Fernandez set to leave, says Fabrizio Romano
Nacho Fernandez has agreed to leave Real Madrid this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Spanish defender has been a faithful servant to the club for years, but his contract expires at the end of this month.
The 34-year-old played a starring role in Los Blancos' success in the 2023/24 campaign, helping the club deal with injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba. However, he is no longer the first choice at the Santiago Bernabeu and has now decided to leave in search of regular football.
Nacho has been linked with a move to the Middle East for a while and Romano has now confirmed that he has completed his medicals with Al-Qadsiah. The player is all set to sign a two-year deal with the Saudi Arabian club.
MARCA have added that the Spanish defender will earn €10m per year and that the La Liga giants are aware that he is set to leave.
Tottenham Hotspur unlikely to entertain Cristian Romero offer, says former player
Real Madrid have to break the bank to secure the services of Cristian Romero this summer, according to former Tottenham Hotspur defender Alan Hutton. The La Liga giants are considering defensive reinforcements this summer and those plans have been accelerated following Nacho's decision to leave.
Recent reports have suggested that Romero has popped up on their radar, following some assured performances for club and country. The Argentinean was crucial to his country's recent rise, helping them win the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 26-year-old appeared 34 times across competitions for Spurs in the 2023/24 campaign and is an integral part of Ange Postecoglou's setup. He could be a fantastic replacement for Nacho at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, speaking to Tottenham News, Hutton insisted that Tottenham are unlikely to let him go unless they receive an offer they cannot refuse.
“It would depend on where he’s going, if we’re talking about Real Madrid and these sort of teams then I’m sure he might want to see what they’re saying. I think for Daniel Levy to sell someone like that, who’s a main player for the team it would have to be huge sums of money first and foremost to allow to him go," said Hutton.
He continued:
“Like I said they would need options to come in, I don’t think they could allow him to go and not have a top level centre-back coming in to start the season. So yes a lot of ifs and buts there but I wouldn’t want to see him leave, I think him and Van de Ven are a very sound partnership and Van de Ven I think makes him better as well.”
Romero is under contract with the north London club until 2027.