Rodrygo Goes has been on the verge of leaving Real Madrid for a while, and his departure might be imminent. In anticipation, the club’s board is exploring potential replacements. Names like Haaland and Neco Williams have been mentioned, but reports suggest that a surprising Premier League star could be the favored option to fill Rodrygo’s shoes.
Several names have been mentioned, including Haaland and Neco Williams, but reports suggest another player has expressed interest in joining Real Madrid. There’s been significant speculation about Rodrygo Goes potentially leaving the club due to Kylian Mbappé’s arrival and some comments from the Brazilian.
According to the Spanish outlet “Defensa Central,” Alejandro Garnacho, a standout in the Premier League, could be a potential replacement if Rodrygo departs. The relationship between Garnacho and Manchester United manager Ten Hag is strained, prompting the player to seek an exit, with Real Madrid as a favorable option.
Garnacho admires Cristiano Ronaldo, making a move to Madrid particularly appealing for him. The 20-year-old Argentine is contracted to Manchester United until the summer of 2028, and Real Madrid would need to pay a transfer fee, currently estimated at around €45 million following his impressive season.
Rodrygo has also hinted at a possible move to the Premier League, stating this summer, “Everyone knows the situation; there’s no need for clarification… The Premier League is the league everyone enjoys watching. I’m not ruling anything out; it’s known that my dream has always been to play for Real Madrid. I want to stay here, but everything is negotiable. My goal is to remain.”
Vinicius Junior has been the talk of the town since last Tuesday. After delivering an outstanding performance against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, scoring a hat-trick, the 24-year-old winger has silenced all critics regarding his value to Real Madrid. He is now the top contender to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or next Monday in France. Real Madrid will rely on him to lead the team in the upcoming Clasico against FC Barcelona on Saturday, as they attempt to close the gap to three points behind Hansi Flick’s squad, which has had a strong start to the season. Real Madrid must secure a victory at home.
The disgusting video of Catalan supporters
Before this highly anticipated and heated match, Barca fans have been chanting provocative songs aimed at Vinicius Junior, who is undeniably the star of La Liga at the moment. Thousands of fans repeatedly chanted “Vinicius meurs” during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. This act of provocation reflects the deep animosity between the Catalans and the likely future Ballon d’Or winner, who has often been criticized for overreacting to such provocations. Last season, Vinicius was targeted with racist chants, and Barca fans have now taken things further, adding tension to Saturday’s showdown.
FC Barcelona, like Real Madrid, is coming off a challenging situation, having defeated Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League, thanks to a strong performance from Raphinha and some errors by Manuel Neuer. Riding high on confidence, the Catalans will head to the Santiago Bernabeu with the intention of defeating their rivals and widening the gap at the top of La Liga. For Vinicius, this is yet another opportunity to prove himself on the pitch, especially with the Ballon d’Or ceremony looming.
The game not to lose
This match, crucial for Real Madrid to stay in contention, also holds great significance for Carlo Ancelotti, whose position has been under scrutiny recently. With Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo Goes both absent, Real Madrid will need to deliver a top-tier performance to overcome Flick’s side, which has been bolstered by the return of several key players from injury.
