Real Madrid will kick off their season this evening against Espanyol, with fans eager to see how Jose Mourinho blends the existing squad with the six new signings made during the summer transfer window.
Despite the influx of new players, the team is still in search of a midfielder after missing out on Rodri, who has now joined rivals Barcelona.
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The club continues to seek a defensive midfielder and has recently revisited interest in an old target, Martin Zubimendi.
Dismissed Links to Zubimendi
Real Madrid has ruled out the possibility of acquiring Zubimendi, who is known for his ability to control possession and manage the pace of play, as the club is not keen to engage in negotiations.
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The club is hesitant to pursue Zubimendi, especially with Arsenal setting his price at approximately €100 million due to their significant investment in him last year.
The same report also negates the suggestion that Mourinho has strongly advocated for the move.
Limited Alternatives
With Zubimendi seemingly off the table, Real Madrid’s options are dwindling. One more feasible name that has emerged is Feyenoord’s Kees Smit.
Kees Smit presents a more affordable option for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Villarroya reports that the Dutch midfielder could be acquired for roughly €40 to €45 million, a fee that would be more manageable within Real Madrid’s financial parameters.
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This acquisition could make financial sense for the club, especially given their existing relationship with Jorge Mendes, Smit’s agent, which could facilitate the movement of players like Raul Asencio or Eduardo Camavinga as part of a broader deal.
While Smit is typically known as a box-to-box or attacking midfielder, raising questions about his fit in a deeper role, any potential move remains speculative at this stage.
For now, Mourinho is set to begin the season with the midfield options currently available to him.