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Real Madrid are preparing for the upcoming Madrid derby against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, September 29, in La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti's team are in second place in the league after seven games, two points ahead of Los Rojiblancos, who are third.
Meanwhile, a Liverpool star has been backed to join Los Blancos. Elsewhere, the La Liga champions have suffered a setback in their plans to sign Florian Wirtz.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from September 27, 2024.
Trent Alexander-Arnold backed for Real Madrid move
Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton has backed Trent Alexander-Arnold to join Real Madrid next summer. The English right-back has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool and is yet to sign a new deal.
Speculation is ripe regarding his next move, with Real Madrid reportedly eyeing the 25-year-old with interest. Los Blancos have apparently identified Alexander-Arnold as Dani Carvajal's long-term successor and would like to sign him for free in 2025.
Speaking at BBC’s Monday Night Club, Sutton slammed the Reds for allowing the English right-back to enter the final year of his contract.
“I think he will go to Real Madrid. Trent has to defend himself and say that his previous contract was done in private and that this is how I have handled things in the past,” said Sutton.
“It is unusual for a club of Liverpool’s size, and for what he has done there, that he is in the last year of his contract. It is different for Salah and Van Dijk because they are in their thirties. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, this should not be happening. How many clubs out there are bigger than Real Madrid?” he continued.
Alexander-Arnold shares a close bond with Jude Bellingham, which could help the La Liga champions secure his services.
Los Blancos suffer Florian Wirtz blow
Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to secure Florian Wirtz in 2025, according to Fichajes. The German midfielder has been outstanding for Bayer Leverkusen of late and is also wanted at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid opted against bringing in a replacement for Toni Kroos, who retired this summer. The veteran midfielder was an indispensable part of Carlo Ancelotti's setup in his final season as well.
Los Blancos have a plethora of options in midfield but want to sign a new face for the job. Wirtz has been identified as the ideal candidate to carry forward his countryman's legacy at the club.
However, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is apparently a huge fan of the 21-year-old and wants him at the Etihad next season. The Spanish manager welcomed back Ilkay Gundogan on a short-term deal this summer, but the former Barcelona man is only a temporary solution.
With Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva no longer young, Wirtz could take over the creative duties at Manchester City. Wirtz is under contract at the BayArena until 2027 and the Bundesliga champions have no desire to let him leave.
Wirtz scored 18 times and set up 20 more from 49 games across competitions as his team won the league and the DFB Pokal last season. Only a massive bid, in the region of €150m, could convince Bayer Leverkusen to let their prized asset leave. City have the finances to script such a move, which will spell trouble for Real Madrid.
Toni Kroos was close to joining Manchester United
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has shared he was a step away from joining Manchester United in 2014. The 34-year-old was at Bayern Munich at the time and the Red Devils were looking for a new midfielder.
It was reported that then-manager David Moyes had his eyes on Kroos for the job. Speculation was ripe all summer, but the move failed to materialize. The German ultimately ended up at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Speaking on his podcast Einfach mal luppen, Kroos revealed that Louis van Gaal's arrival at Old Trafford prompted him to turn down the move.
“Before signing for Real Madrid in 2014, I had an agreement with Manchester United. They sacked David Moyes, who I was still sitting with on my sofa in Munich. It was very nice for him to be sitting in our house with his wife. Then they hired Van Gaal and we both politely declined,” said Kroos.
Kroos won four La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies, among others, with Los Blancos, and retired this summer as a club legend.
