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Real Madrid are putting together final preparations ahead of their La Liga tie against Villarreal on Sunday, May 19. Carlo Ancelotti's team arrive at the game on a good run of form, having won their last nine league games.
Meanwhile, the Spanish champions are not interested in re-signing their former centre-back Raphael Varane this summer. Elsewhere, Los Blancos are worried about midfielder Toni Kroos' future.
On that note, here's a look at the key Real Madrid transfer stories as on May 18, 2024:
Real Madrid not planning Raphael Varane reunion
Real Madrid have turned down the chance to bring Raphael Varane back to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, according to Fichajes.
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The French defender is all set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season as a free agent. Intermediaries have offered his services to Los Blancos, but the club have opted against a reunion. Varane left the La Liga giants in 2021 to move to Old Trafford, but his stay with the Red Devils hasn't been fruitful.
The 31-year-old has struggled with injuries and is no longer the player he once was. Real Madrid are expected to invest in their backline this summer and as such were afforded the option to re-sign their former player on a Bosman move.
However, the club are not interested in the move and are likely to invest in younger talents like Leny Yoro.
Los Blancos worried about Toni Kroos
Real Madrid are worried that Toni Kroos will hang his boots at the end of this season, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The German midfielder is in the final months of his contract with Los Blancos, and his future remains up in the air. The 34-year-old hasn't signed an extension, but the La Liga giants are expected to hand him a new deal soon.
Kroos has been a key part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans this season, registering one goal and nine assists in 45 games across competitions. With Luka Modric also staring at an uncertain future ahead, Real Madrid want to hold on to the veteran German.
However, the Spanish champions are worried that the player could call time on his esteemed career at the end of Euro 2024.
Former player backs Jude Bellingham to win Ballon d'Or
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes Jude Bellingham deserves the Ballon d'Or this year.
The English midfielder arrived at Real Madrid last summer from Borussia Dortmund and has easily been one of the signings of the season. Bellingham has registered 23 goals and 12 assists in 40 games across competitions, helping Los Blancos win the league, and the Spanish Supercup. He has also played a key role in the club's march to the Champions League final.
In his column for Caught Offside, Collymore was full of praise for his countryman.
“What Bellingham is doing really is arguably the greatest achievement by an English player abroad and I say that going all the way back to the likes of John Charles who had a massive impact on Juventus, Denis Law, Jimmy Greaves, Liam Brady, Steve McManaman, David Beckham," wrote Collymore.
He continued:
“Every week he’s been playing against the very best in the world and for a relative top-flight rookie to walk into that club with such confidence from day one is quite extraordinary.
"We’ve started to see him get forward that little bit more and score important goals, and he’s been the conduit for the rest of his team-mates at arguably the biggest club on the planet."
Collymore argued that there's no one better than Bellingham for the coveted prize this year.
“He’s not the finished article by any means but show me another player that’s had a bigger impact on their club in terms of making them a consistent threat at home and abroad.
"You can’t find one. So it absolutely makes sense for him to be Ballon d’Or, and to do it at a club that can swallow you up and spit you out… I don’t think anybody else comes close this year,” wrote Collymore.
Vinicius Junior is another candidate for Ballon d'Or this season, while Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are likely to be in the race as well.
