Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Manchester United offer £170m for Vinicius, Nacho wants to leave, and more - April 20, 2024
Real Madrid are putting together final preparations ahead of El Clasico on Sunday, April 21. League leaders Los Blancos meet second-placed Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are willing to break the bank for Vinicius Junior this summer. Elsewhere, Nacho Fernandez is ready to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.
On that note, let's take a look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from April 20, 2024.
Manchester United offer £170m for Vinicius
Manchester United are willing to pay a colossal fee to secure the services of Vinicius Junior, according to Fichajes.
The Brazilian forward's future at Real Madrid has come under doubt following the impending arrival of Kylian Mbappe this summer. The French superstar's contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) expires at the end of this season and he likely to join Los Blancos as a free agent.
With both players preferring to operate on the left, speculation is rife regarding Vinicius' place in the team. The Red Devils are apparently keeping a close eye on the situation and are planning to price away the Brazilian. They are even willing to offer more than £170m for the 23-year-old, which could tempt the La Liga giants.
Nacho wants to leave Real Madrid
Nacho Fernandez has decided to leave Real Madrid at the end of this season, according to MARCA.
The Spanish defender has spent his entire career so far at the Santiago Bernabeu, content with a bench role for the club. However, the 34-year-old apparently wants to try a new adventure at the end of this season, when his contract with Los Blancos expires.
Nacho was handed the armband after Karim Benzema left last summer and remains a key figure under Carlo Ancelotti. This season, the Spaniard has appeared 36 times across competitions for the La Liga giants, 26 of which have been starts. He has helped Real Madrid deal with the absence of Eder Militao and David Alaba, but is likely to drop down the pecking order once everyone's fit.
Nacho is nearing the end of his career and wants to play regular football at the moment. AC Milan were previously interested in his services and could move for the 34-year-old in the summer.
Erling Haaland sent Los Blancos advice
Journalist Wim Kleft believes Erling Haaland is better suited to Real Madrid than Manchester City.
The Norwegian striker has been in phenomenal form ever since arriving at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. The 23-year-old has appeared 92 times across competitions for the Premier League champions to date, registering 83 goals and 15 assists. However, he failed to score against Los Blancos in both legs in the Champions League quarterfinals as his team were eliminated.
Speaking recently, Kleft insisted that City don't play to Haaland's strengths.
“It’s a lot about Haaland and I don’t think he is the right striker for Manchester City. Despite the fact that he has scored a lot of goals, he is forced far too much to play football in a small space. He is expected to be able to combine with that. That is not where his strength lies, because that strength lies in the transition," said Kleft.
He continued:
“You also saw that with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona. He was not allowed to do more than stand up front, bounce a ball and head a ball. Manchester City’s football is not ideal for Haaland’s qualities. He is a phenomenon, but If he had joined Real Madrid then he would be truly worldly. Then the spaces are everywhere.”
Haaland could be Karim Benzema's successor at the Santiago Bernabeu.