Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos suffer Trent Alexander-Arnold blow, Luka Modric advised to retire, and more - July 23, 2024
Real Madrid enjoyed an almost flawless run under Carlo Ancelotti last season, winning the league, the Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana. Los Blancos lost just two games in the entire campaign, one in the league and one in the Copa del Rey.
Meanwhile, the La Liga champions have suffered a setback in their efforts to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer. Elsewhere, a former player has advised Luka Modric to retire.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from July 23, 2024.
Real Madrid suffer Trent Alexander-Arnold blow
Liverpool are determined to keep hold of Trent Alexander-Arnold beyond this summer, according to Football Insider.
The English right-back has been indispensable for the Merseyside club in recent times but is in the final year of his contract.
New manager Arne Slot wants the player to stay and is pushing the club to tie him down to a new deal. Real Madrid also have their eyes on the 25-year-old as they look for a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.
The Spaniard is already on the wrong side of 30 and is likely to slow down soon. Alexander-Arnold has all the attributes to be his able successor and Los Blancos have been linked with the player of late.
However, it now appears that Slot has him firmly in his plans and is planning to hold talks with the Englishman. Liverpool are unlikely to let him go without a fight and the La Liga champions may be better advised to seek alternate targets.
Luka Modric advised to retire by former player
Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic believes it is time for Luka Modric to hang up his boots. The Croatian midfielder dropped the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti last season and was heavily linked with an exit this summer.
However, Modric opted to sign a one-year extension earlier this month to continue his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 38-year-old will also wear the armband in the upcoming campaign, but he is likely to struggle for game time.
Speaking on Cadena SER, Mijatovic insisted that Modric is aware that he is in the twilight of his career.
"Luka had an offer from Saudi Arabia and he rejected it, this summer he has also had offers for a lot of money but he has decided to stay. He has already made up his mind that he is no longer an undisputed starter, he realised that last season and he already knows that he is not a starter," said Mijatovic.
"He's going to be 39 years old and I think he's close to retiring from Real Madrid, I don't know if he'll make it to the World Cup, you never know and with Luka even less, but I think it's time to retire, and if it can be at Madrid even better," Mijatovic added.
Modric appeared 46 times across competitions, half of which were from the bench.
Bayern Munich make Alphonso Davies decision
Bayern Munich will not offer an improved contract renewal proposal for Alphonso Davies this summer, according to honorary club president Uli Hoeness.
The Canadian has entered the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena and hasn't agreed to a new deal.
Real Madrid are keeping a close watch on his situation and want to take him to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer. The La Liga giants are looking for a new left-back and Davies is the selected candidate for the job.
The Bavarians would prefer to keep him at the club but their recent proposal doesn't match the player's salary expectations. With the player's contract set to expire, it was believed that the Bundesliga giants would return with an improved offer for the 23-year-old.
However, speaking recently as cited by acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano, Hoeness has refuted those claims.
“We told him very clearly that if he doesn’t renew his contract, we will let it expire. He won’t get any more money,” said Hoeness
Los Blancos would prefer to sign the player this summer, but won't mind lapping him up for free in 2025.