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Real Madrid welcome Espanyol to the Santiago Bernabeu for a La Liga clash on Saturday, September 21. Carlo Ancelotti's team are third in the league table with three wins and two draws from their five games.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have jumped ahead of the queue in the race for Florian Wirtz. Elsewhere, the Spanish champions are keeping a close eye on a Brazilian defender who plays for Arsenal.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from September 21, 2024.
Real Madrid leading Florian Wirtz race
Real Madrid are the favorites to sign Florian Wirtz next summer, according to Christian Falk. The German midfielder has earned admirers at multiple European clubs after an explosive 2023-24 campaign with Bayer Leverkusen.
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Wirtz registered 18 goals and 20 assists from 49 games across competitions, helping his team complete a domestic double. Los Blancos are planning for life without Luka Modric, who is in the final phase of his career and have apparently turned to the 21-year-old as an option.
In his column for The Daily Briefing, Falk stated that the player is ready for a new adventure in 2025.
“Florian Wirtz made it very clear that he wants to make the next step in 2025. He has a contract now until 2027, so Leverkusen want a big fee for his services – €150m. That’s a lot and obviously not every club can afford to pay this," wrote Falk.
“The club leading the race for his signature is not an English one. It’s Real Madrid. This could form part of a package deal including Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, should the Spaniard be identified as Carlo Ancelotti’s potential successor next summer. It’s really good for Wirtz as he knows the coach and that he’d be well taken care of in Madrid," he added.
Falk added other clubs, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Liverpool, are also in the race to sign the Germany international.
“There’s still a little chance for Bayern Munich who have always been in contact with the player and his father, Hans-Joachim, who is also his agent. There’s a big dream for Wirtz and Jamal Musiala to play together at Bayern," wrote Falk.
"I don’t think Real Madrid would be able to buy both players, whilst Bayern can only sign one. But, of course, he also fits other clubs like Manchester City. Liverpool are also interested and we talked about Manchester United not being in the race at the moment,” he concluded.
Wirtz has enjoyed an impressive start to the new campaign with the Bundesliga champions, scoring five goals and setting up one more from six games across competitions.
Los Blancos eyeing Gabriel Magalhaes
Real Madrid have set their sights on Gabriel Magalhaes, according to Caught Offside. The Brazilian defender is a key player for Arsenal and is one of Mikel Arteta's most trusted men.
Gabriel appeared 50 times across competitions last season as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the Premier League title. His efforts have convinced Los Blancos, who are in the market for a new defender.
The La Liga giants were pipped to the services of Leny Yoro this summer by Manchester United. With Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba no longer young, a new defender is the need of the hour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Gabriel could be a fine option but he is under contract with Arsenal until 2027 and they have no desire to let him go. Even if the player can be convinced to make the move, he could cost around €90-95m.
Moreover, Real Madrid will also face competition from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich for the 26-year-old.
Real Madrid receive Trent Alexander-Arnold boost
Trent Alexander-Arnold has turned down the latest renewal proposal from Liverpool, according to SPORT. The English right-back is in the final year of his contract with the Reds and is a target for Real Madrid.
Los Blancos plan to sign a new right-back to compete with and eventually replace Dani Carvajal. The Spaniard has shown no signs of slowing down, although he is on the wrong side of 30. Carvajal's contract expires at the end of this season, but he is likely to be handed a new deal.
Alexander-Arnold has been identified as the ideal candidate for the job. The La Liga giants are already planning to move for the player next summer once he becomes a free agent.
The 25-year-old will be free to reach a pre-agreement with his suitors at the turn of the year if he doesn't sign a new deal. Real Madrid will now be quietly confident of getting their man in 2025.
