Per a bunch of different sources it's a done deal. Sky Sports says its for £105 million pounds. Biggest transfer ever? Money wise it doesn't top what happened last summer, but the most popular player leaving the most popular club is a huge deal. I'm very sad about this.
Just waiting for the teams to announce it.
Not sure about the move for Juve, I guess they win the league every year regardless. Should be a lucrative asset for them for at least 1-2 more seasons.
So take the $120M and get younger and deeper.
I still think it's a net positive for the league and should make things exciting.
Forza Roma. Juve Merda
As an LFC fan, let me say "Not Mo Salah, please".
No real reason for it but Neymar at Madrid could make sense for me.
They basically have unlimited resources, they are the biggest club in the world and they have the sales pitch of “come take Ronaldo’s spot and launch a new era”.
It’s pretty much just down to who they decide they want. And I doubt it’ll only be one player.
I guess I better buy those Juve / Benfica tickets.
I think it's going to be Mbappe. About a week ago a French reporter said they had a deal agreed. The same reporter that broke Griezmann's extension and Lemar going to Atletico. Real put out a statement denying it. The reporter said 272 million euros paid in 4 payments.
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Ronaldo’s production? I’ve heard Neymar but I don’t see him leaving PSG after 1 season and the massive investment they made in him. I wonder what’s Mbappe’s buyout? What about Harry Kane?
I think it's going to be Mbappe. About a week ago a French reporter said they had a deal agreed. The same reporter that broke Griezmann's extension and Lemar going to Atletico. Real put out a statement denying it. The reporter said 272 million euros paid in 4 payments.
Oddly enough Barca's mouthpiece newspaper had a story saying PSG would offer 270 for one of Neymar's good friend Coutinho.
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In comment 14009849 JoeyBigBlue said:
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Ronaldo’s production? I’ve heard Neymar but I don’t see him leaving PSG after 1 season and the massive investment they made in him. I wonder what’s Mbappe’s buyout? What about Harry Kane?
I think it's going to be Mbappe. About a week ago a French reporter said they had a deal agreed. The same reporter that broke Griezmann's extension and Lemar going to Atletico. Real put out a statement denying it. The reporter said 272 million euros paid in 4 payments.
Oddly enough Barca's mouthpiece newspaper had a story saying PSG would offer 270 for one of Neymar's good friend Coutinho.
Also El Chiringuito (They've been ahead on all the CR7 news) said there is no way Florentino would sell Cristiano without having a big name replacement already agree to a deal. So we will see.
That said, it's worth mentioning that in his 9 years at Real Madrid they only won La Liga twice. That's 2 less than Real Madrid won in the previous 9 years. And despite the pomp around the Champions' League, it's the domestic competitions that matter most, and that are the best indicators of excellence (even Zinedine Zidane said as much after winning the Champions League again recently). The lack of La Liga excellence for Real Madrid obviously doesn't fall solely on Cristiano, but he was part of it. I don't expect Real Madrid will miss him. They'll score a similar number of goals this season and continue to compete for all titles. His success in Spain was always more about him than it was about the team, and it amuses me that the last 9 years in Spain will be remembered in the long term as Messi's and Barcelona's, and not Cristiano's and Real Madrid's.
He scored lots of goals and that's a credit to him and his work ethic, but he leaves Spain the way he lived there - whining about the personal attention he received.
And it feels like Real Madrid are angling for Neymar. Fitting replacement for Cristiano, and fitting for such a hideous club.
He is definitely a possibility. Especially since he's flat out said he's interested in Madrid numerous times this summer. If it's Hazard though I don't think it's just him. I think they'd bring in a pure Striker like Icardi.
Hazard, Neymar and Mbappe are much more likely targets and I do suspect they will get at least one of them.
Many of the big clubs have lucrative deals all over the world, as well as the capacity to take on enormous amounts of debt. The Champions League clubs are practically state entities that are "too big to fail". They don't represent the vast majority of European soccer though. Real Madrid for example has players on its bench that are worth more than entire clubs in top divisions in Europe.
They'll need another signing if it is Hazard. He isn't the goalsxoring threat that we need.
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They'll need another signing if it is Hazard. He isn't the goalsxoring threat that we need.
lol
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In comment 14009997 Nitro said:
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They'll need another signing if it is Hazard. He isn't the goalsxoring threat that we need.
lol
What are you laughing at you weirdo?
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In comment 14010092 Big Rick in FL said:
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In comment 14009997 Nitro said:
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They'll need another signing if it is Hazard. He isn't the goalsxoring threat that we need.
lol
What are you laughing at you weirdo?
Not sure why I'm a weirdo, but it amuses me that you became a Madrid fan like 3 years ago because of Ronaldo, and now are sticking your nose up at Hazard.
I'm not sticking my nose up at Hazard. He's a top 5 player to me and has been for some time. It's just a fact. He's been in the PL for 6 seasons. Has only broke 14 goals one time.
That wasn't my opinion either. The Spanish media is saying if they can't let Neymar or Mbappe they are going after Hazard and someone like Icardi.
Real Madrid's goals from open play are created by the midfielders and fullbacks...they weren't created by Cristiano creating space on his own. He was a one touch in the box finisher the last 3 years or so, like Hugo Sanchez used to be for them in the '80s.
Real Madrid would be stupid to buy Neymar, Hazard, or Mbappe. They should be looking for a goalkeeper, a central defender, an upgrade over Casemiro, and someone to relieve Kroos-Modric. Instead of 300M euros for Neymar they should offer 100M to Chelsea for Kante.
Real Madrid's goals from open play are created by the midfielders and fullbacks...they weren't created by Cristiano creating space on his own. He was a one touch in the box finisher the last 3 years or so, like Hugo Sanchez used to be for them in the '80s.
Real Madrid would be stupid to buy Neymar, Hazard, or Mbappe. They should be looking for a goalkeeper, a central defender, an upgrade over Casemiro, and someone to relieve Kroos-Modric. Instead of 300M euros for Neymar they should offer 100M to Chelsea for Kante.
The problem is Bale doesn't stay healthy. He just hasn't been able to stay healthy since he got to Madrid.
They are going to buy a new GK. Most likely Courtois.
They just signed Odriozola to backup Carvajal. So Nacho should be able to move back to his natural position at CB. They also have Jesus Vallejo as cover for Varane/Ramos. Everything I've read has said Lopetegui loves Vallejo.
They have Kovacic & Ceballos as cover for Kroos/Madric. They are also trying to buy Sergej Milinković-Savić from Lazio.
I don't think they need to replace Casemiro. Not a good passer, but he's a great defender. I think he will improve even more this season. Zidane had him playing in a weird attacking type role the last few years. Which just doesn't suit him well. Also Llorente did a wonderful job at Alaves.
The attack needs help. Benz just doesn't score. Bale is always hurt and up until this point Asensio has always seemed better as a substitute. I don't think they sign Neymar anyway. I think it's going to be Mbappe or Hazard.
They haven't had a big signing since James in 2014. So I think they are going to really splurge this summer. Especially after pulling in like 160 million from Cristiano and James sales.
3 Champions League titles on the trot had little to do with their performance and play on the pitch.
It is difficult to be a good defensive midfielder if you are not a good passer.
3 Champions League titles on the trot had little to do with their performance and play on the pitch.
If you try to talk shit at least get your shit right. Over the last 3 years in the UCL they've been awarded 6 PKs. They've conceded 9 PKs. They have 63 cards over the last 3 UCL.
For comparison here are some other top teams
Juve - 66
Barca - 65
Bayern - 63
Atletico - 51
PSG - 52
Manchester City - 51
Tottenham - 19 (2 Seasons)
Roma - 27 (2 seasons)
So they seem to be right in the middle of the pack. Don't think the refs have that much to do with it.
Maybe they've won 3 in a row because they've scored 97 goals and allowed only 40 in 39 games the past 3 years in the Champions League. Good try though!
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I don't think they need to replace Casemiro. Not a good passer, but he's a great defender. I think he will improve even more this season.
It is difficult to be a good defensive midfielder if you are not a good passer.
Not really. We have plenty of good passers. Go watch Madrid play and you can see they are a far better defensive team with Casemiro on the pitch. Zidane had no loyalty to him yet he was one of the sure things on the team sheet. Obviously Kante would be an upgrade. He's the best DM in the World, but Real Madrid has much bigger problems then Casemiro.
If he doesn't start regularly it's on him. Especially with his NT coach now coaching Madrid. He's young and very inconsistent. Like I said above he's looked better as a sub then he has as a starter. I'm sure with Lopetegui as the manager he will be given every chance to be a starter. He just turned 22. Plenty of years ahead of him.
Some good nuggets about how Marcelo once said in the media that Messi and Cristiano were the two best players in the world. Cristiano didn't talk to him for a year after that. Also, the time that Cristiano and Mourinho almost came to blows in the changing room.
Link - ( New Window )
That said, it's worth mentioning that in his 9 years at Real Madrid they only won La Liga twice. That's 2 less than Real Madrid won in the previous 9 years. And despite the pomp around the Champions' League, it's the domestic competitions that matter most, and that are the best indicators of excellence (even Zinedine Zidane said as much after winning the Champions League again recently). The lack of La Liga excellence for Real Madrid obviously doesn't fall solely on Cristiano, but he was part of it. I don't expect Real Madrid will miss him. They'll score a similar number of goals this season and continue to compete for all titles. His success in Spain was always more about him than it was about the team, and it amuses me that the last 9 years in Spain will be remembered in the long term as Messi's and Barcelona's, and not Cristiano's and Real Madrid's.
He scored lots of goals and that's a credit to him and his work ethic, but he leaves Spain the way he lived there - whining about the personal attention he received.
And it feels like Real Madrid are angling for Neymar. Fitting replacement for Cristiano, and fitting for such a hideous club.
Dude I respect your opinion on soccer but sometimes you just need to take a loss and move on.
You were way off on this one. You can't justify that move as a poor one for Real.
Best point yet. Totally agree. I think he would be a great asset for Liverpool if RM continues to limit his services.
Hell, I think Zidance under-used Isco.
If I'm RM, I sell Benzema, too. And target Lewandowski. He wants out of Bayern by some accounts. What a great, great striker he is...
Between Benzema, Isco, Bale, Asensio, and Lucas Vazquez Real Madrid has more than enough to fill the front three in a 4-3-3 in all competitions.
The way I look at these things I would always prefer the player to be say 18-24. Not that 26 is ancient but if we are shopping with unlimited funds and can get basically anyone why settle?
Mbappe is the one player who makes a lot of sense if they can get him. Very young, on the rise and looks like he will be involved in the “best player in the world” conversation for years to come. If I had to choose one player to make a splash signing I guess it would be him.
If you're willing to spend 300M for Neymar, you should be willing to spend half that for either of these guys instead.
I am not sure even Real Madrid can get that one done.
Lukaku I think could be had. Would cost a lot but at the end of the day he’s a mercenary and I think they could get a deal done if they really wanted to.
The man literally wins every he goes. In France he joined a Ligue 2 team and they were immediately promoted his first year there. He won the league title with Leicester in year 1 and the league title with Chelsea in year 1. Now he's in the World Cup final.
He is undoubtedly one of these guys in sports who not only makes the team immediately better but also always seems to find himself in championship situations.
The man literally wins every he goes. In France he joined a Ligue 2 team and they were immediately promoted his first year there. He won the league title with Leicester in year 1 and the league title with Chelsea in year 1. Now he's in the World Cup final.
He is undoubtedly one of these guys in sports who not only makes the team immediately better but also always seems to find himself in championship situations.
Based on what I've seen in this tournament I'd call him the best player in the world.
That’s not a bad suggestion. He’d be an upgrade over Benzema for sure. Sell Benzema, sign Lukaku, and a goalie. And this could be your lineup.
——————Goalie————-
Carvajal-Ramos- Varane-Marcelo
Kroos——-Casemiro———Modric
Bale———Lukaku————-Isco
Asencio can be the supersub until he’s ready to take over for Bale in a year or two.
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And is someone all these massive clubs should be targeting.
The man literally wins every he goes. In France he joined a Ligue 2 team and they were immediately promoted his first year there. He won the league title with Leicester in year 1 and the league title with Chelsea in year 1. Now he's in the World Cup final.
He is undoubtedly one of these guys in sports who not only makes the team immediately better but also always seems to find himself in championship situations.
Based on what I've seen in this tournament I'd call him the best player in the world.
Completely agree. He’s Makelele 2.0
Between Benzema, Isco, Bale, Asensio, and Lucas Vazquez Real Madrid has more than enough to fill the front three in a 4-3-3 in all competitions.
Benzema is 30. His last 4 years as a striker: 22,28, 19, and, this year, 12 goals. And we know the talent around him.
Lewandowski is 29. His last four years: 25, 42, 43, and, this year, 41 goals. And he has less talented players around him than Benz.
Sorry, but it isn’t even close. Lewandowski is one of the three best strikers on the planet. Benzema isn’t even the best striker in his home France.
I like Lewandowski although think he benefits from some extraordinary players around him, but I don't see the fit with RM at all. The thing that bothers me about Neymar is his field visionm which I think is lacking. It's my impression that he is always missing open teammates who are there for open shits. It's not because he's incredibly selfish. I think he just doesn't see them. I actually don't have a great solution to what RM should do post-Ronaldo. I think this sale is a mistake.
I agree. In his defense, it's harder to see when they're behind closed doors.
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he is always missing open teammates who are there for open shits. It's not because he's incredibly selfish. I think he just doesn't see them.
In the Cristiano years Real Madrid doled out a lot of 6-0 type scores - I know because Deportivo was on the receiving end of a few of them. 6-0 or 1-0, it's still worth 3 points in the standings. Real outscored Atletico last year by 36 goals but finished 3 points behind them in the standings. Outscored Valencia by 29 goals, but finished only 3 points ahead of them.
Real could have scored 30 fewer goals - if they'd conceded only 10 fewer they may have challenged Barcelona for the title instead of finishing 17 points back.
Real Madrid needs to tighten up defensively, and be able to do it over the long haul of a season - not just the Champions League tournament.
the fact that Conte was there at preseason training and Chelsea let him linger since season's end reflects the shitshow that club is.