Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos eyeing PSG star, Andriy Lunin was never close to Chelsea move, and more - September 13, 2024
Real Madrid are putting together final preparations ahead of their La Liga tie against Real Sociedad away on Saturday, September 14. Carlo Ancelotti's team arrive at the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Real Betis at home before the international break.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos are interested in a Spanish midfielder who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Elsewhere, Andriy Lunin was never close to a move to Chelsea during the summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from September 13, 2024.
Real Madrid eyeing Fabian Ruiz
Real Madrid have set their sights on Fabian Ruiz, according to SPORT. The La Liga giants are well covered in the center of the park, but Carlo Ancelotti is apparently looking for reinforcements.
Los Blancos refrained from investing in a new midfielder following Toni Kroos' retirement this summer. Meanwhile, Luka Modric is also in the final phase of his career and could hang up his boots soon.
Dani Ceballos was heavily linked with an exit this summer but ended up staying. However, with regular football hard to come by, he could also opt to leave next summer. The situation has apparently prompted Real Madrid to turn to the market and they have identified Ruiz as an option.
The PSG midfielder was quite impressive for Spain at Euro 2024 as he helped them lift the title. He could be available for €35 million. Los Blancos believe that the 28-year-old could fill the void generated by Kroos' departure
However, their strained relationship with the Parisians could pose a problem for the deal. Barcelona also have their eyes on Ruiz and could take advantage of the situation to prise him away.
Andriy Lunin was never close to Chelsea move, says Fabrizio Romano
Andriy Lunin was never in talks to join Chelsea this year, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Ukrainian goalkeeper is reportedly close to agreeing on a new deal with Real Madrid.
Lunin's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu is set to expire at the end of this campaign and he was linked with an exit during the summer. The 25-year-old was in impeccable form last season, stepping up in the absence of Thibaut Courtois.
However, he was relegated to the bench once the Belgian returned to full fitness in the final weeks of the campaign. There were reports that Chelsea were offering him a chance at regular football, although a move failed to materialize.
However, Romano has refuted those claims. Lunin remains behind Courtois in the pecking order for Los Blancos, but the club has apparently convinced him to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Aurelien Tchouameni backed to stay by journalist
Aurelien Tchouameni is unlikely to leave Real Madrid at the moment, according to Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson. The French midfielder has become indispensable for the La Liga champions since arriving at the club from AS Monaco in 2022.
Recent reports have suggested that Arsenal and Liverpool wanted the 24-year-old this summer. The Merseyside club are long-term admirers of Tchouameni and could return for him next summer.
In his column for Caught Offside, Johnson insisted that the player remains settled at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Aurelian Tchouameni remains an interesting profile to a lot of top clubs despite moving to Real Madrid. We’ve seen a few times now when he’s been in and out of the team that there have been rumours linking him with other clubs, not just Liverpool and Arsenal, but a handful of others as well,” wrote Johnson.
He continued:
“Overall I do think he remains an important player for them, and I think the player himself will continue to be happy as long as he’s getting regular minutes. Still, I do wonder if, long-term, there will still be a guaranteed starting XI role and once that becomes clear it might be that we’ll see Tchouameni being more willing to consider his future."
However, Johnson acknowledged that Tchouameni's situation with Los Blancos could depend on Eduardo Camavinga.
“At the moment he is an important player for Ancelotti, but how that looks once all his competitors in his position are fully fit and available, we’ll have to wait and see," wrote Johnson.
He concluded:
“For this season, it would be a big surprise to see Tchouameni leaving Real Madrid, but from next summer onwards, a lot will depend on how confident he still is of keeping his place in the team, particularly when Eduardo Camavinga is back and available in midfield again.”
Tchouameni is under contract with Real Madrid until 2028.