In Real Madrid , the news of Pep Guardiola ‘s renewal with Manchester City has tasted like a bucket of cold water . Florentino Pérez was convinced that the coach, who does not like too long cycles, would change his mind, which would very possibly mean the departure of several players. City has finally secured the continuity of Guardiola, the cornerstone of the project, which complicates the big operation that Florentino has in mind
And Real Madrid know that Erling Haaland is delighted with Guardiola. The coach has surprised him, one more reason not to want to change his mind. Nor have Leo Messi’s statements in Universo Valdano helped , admitting that Guardiola had been the best coach he had had in his entire career
Florentino Perez is watching Karim Benzema fade away . After a stellar season that earned him the Ballon d’Or, the Frenchman has dropped his performance, weighed down by some physical ailments that have even left him without competing in the World Cup. The plan was for Benzema to last until 2024, when Real Madrid would activate Haaland’s clause, signing him for 180 million euros . This idea, however, is starting to get seriously complicated
On the one hand, it seems very difficult for Benzema to be at a great level for another season and a half. For another, the continuity of Guardiola complicates the departure of Haaland, who at the moment has no intention of leaving the Etihad Stadium. At Real Madrid, therefore, an unforeseen event has arisen that will very possibly force it to look for an alternative plan
That is why the sports management is already analyzing the options that arise in the market to strengthen the forward. The aim is to sign a star, to avoid players of the style of Jovic , who ended up being a failure. Without Haaland or Mbappé in the equation, the main name on the list of possible reinforcements has also been complicated, as Nkunku is already linked with Chelsea . The Frenchman has a verbal agreement and has even already passed a first physical review, in an operation that will approach 70 million euros
Faced with this situation, Real Madrid’s new target, according to reports from Italy, is Lautaro Martínez , striker of Inter Milan . The Argentine has become one of the best strikers in the world and has the profile that Real Madrid are looking for. The operation will not be easy, nor cheap, although in the white club, seeing the state of Karim Benzema, they already consider it a priority
