OneFootball
·11 August 2025
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·11 August 2025
The new season looms as Real Madrid faces challenges in fitness and transfers, but hope rises through young talents.
Real Madrid's transfer landscape remains volatile as Rodrygo Goes attracts significant interest from Manchester City, alongside Arsenal and Liverpool. With a hefty valuation of around €100 million, Real Madrid's stance is firm: Rodrygo will only part ways if he decides to move or his wage demands of £350k-a-week are met by interested clubs. Manchester City, amidst a reshuffling of their attacking line-up post-Jack Grealish's departure to Everton, may revisit their interest should circumstances align. Meanwhile, Rodrygo's current inclination is to cement his place in Madrid, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Federico Valverde's push for fitness is pivotal, given his integral role as illustrated by his nearly unmatched game time last term—clocking in 119 appearances since the 2023-24 season. While Camavinga's ankle sprain presents concern, Valverde is working diligently to join the squad for the La Liga opener against Osasuna. With manager Xabi Alonso aiming to "manage his workload carefully," Valverde's return is keenly anticipated, especially with midfield immobilisations requiring tactical balance adjustments.
Teen prodigies are making enticing cases this pre-season. Xabi Alonso has called up midfield talent Thiago Pitarch to Austria to fill the vacuum left by players like Valverde in the closing pre-season game versus WSG Tirol. Pitarch's recent goal against Leganes highlights the injection of youthful promise into a squad needing depth, particularly in midfield, where tactical reshuffling is anticipated. The chance for young guns like Pitarch mirrors Arda Guler's poised transition to assume more central responsibilities reminiscent of Modric and Kroos's roles.
📸 JUAN MABROMATA - AFP or licensors