Real Madrid round-up: Rodrigo, Theo Zidane, Marcos Llorente
All the latest news from the Bernabéu as the first team squad have a day off, Lopetegui asks for Rodrigo and the second youngest Zidane joins the Juvenil B.
Rodrigo: To sign, or not to sign
There are 10 days to go until the transfer market closes, and the talk in the Spanish capital is over whether Real Madrid will or won’t make a move to sign Valencia’s Rodrigo (who scored a cracker against Atleti last night in the 1-1 draw). Lopetegui would like to bring him on board, the fans are keen (88% of those who responded to our poll said Madrid need a centre-forward to complement Benzema, who is going nowhere) but the board and Florentino Pérez aren’t convinced. The striker’s buy-out clauses is a whopping 120 million euros, but Madrid wouldn’t really like to pay any more than 60…
Other striking options
Other names linked to Real Madrid up front include:
Werner: 22 years old, plays for RB Leipzig, and would be a cheapish option. Was linked to the Madrid last summer.
Cavani: 31 years old, which is a factor against him, but he’d be keen to come after falling down the pecking order at PSG
Icardi: He’s scored the 98 goals in four seasons at Inter and has been involved in various rumours linking him to the Bernabéu… but the Italian market is shut now, meaning Inter wouldn’t be able to replace him. Difficult.
Kane: He’s just renewed at Spurs. Impossible.
Lewandowski: Bayern’s president said he’d meet his agent on 2 September. Doesn’t look very likely.
Llorente could be off
Midfielder Marcos Llorente’s future is up in the air. He’s not in coach Lopetegui’s plans and various clubs are interested in him, including Villarreal. He was spotted in Valencia yesterday, leading to speculation that a move to the east coast is in the offing…
Odriozola trains with the group
New right back Odriozola was out with a niggle, but he was back training with the squad yesterday and could be ready to play against Girona on Sunday (22:15 CEST).
Day off
The squad have been given today off to relax, and will be back in training tomorrow. It's another glorious day here in Madrid, with temperatures hitting 33 degrees, so our guess would be most players will be found lounging by the side of their elegant pools.
Theo Zidane
The former first team coach’s third son will play for Real Madrid Juvenil B (Under 18s) this season.
Can you lend us a player or two?
Newly promoted Rayo Vallecano have asked Real Madrid very nicely if they can have goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and striker Raúl de Tomás on loan. Rayo boss Michel has publicly lamented the lack of depth in his squad.