Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup at the National Stadium Warsaw on Wednesday, August 14. Goals from Federico Valverde (59′) and debutant Kylian Mbappe (68′) helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side secure their first silverware of the season.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have ended their pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Elsewhere, Alphonso Davies is planning to move to the Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent in 2025.
On that note, let’s look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from August 15, 2024
Real Madrid cool interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid are no longer pushing for Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to journalist Lewis Steele of the The Daily Mail. The La Liga giants are looking for a new right-back to eventually take over from Dani Carvajal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish right-back has been outstanding for the club in the past decade but is now in the final phase of his career. Los Blancos are laying down succession plans for the position and have their eyes on Alexander-Arnold.
The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool and hasn’t agreed to an extension yet. Real Madrid have been eyeing the situation with interest and it was previously reported that they are considering a Bosman move for the player next summer.
Alexander-Arnold’s close friendship with Jude Bellingham has further fuelled speculation regarding a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. However, it now appears that the Spanish champions have ended their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
The news will come as a relief to the Merseyside giants, who can now concentrate on trying to convince their prized asset to sign a new deal.
Alphonso Davies eyeing 2025 move
Alphonso Davies is planning to follow the ‘Kylian Mbappe’ route to Real Madrid, according to MARCA. The Canadian speedster is a long-term target for the La Liga giants and they have been linked with the player all summer.
Davies’ contract with Bayern Munich expires in 2025 and negotiations for a new deal haven’t been fruitful so far. The Bavarians are willing to let him go for €50m this summer, but it is far more than what Los Blancos are willing to pay.
Davies has now realized that he must see out his contract at the Allianz Arena to secure a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti already has Ferland Mendy for the left-back position and the Frenchman was in fine form last season.
The need for reinforcements, as such, isn’t urgent. The Italian manager trusts Mendy and will be willing to keep his faith in the 29-year-old next season.
Manuel Pellegrini opens up on Los Blancos exit
Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that he lost the Real Madrid job due to his failure to win the Champions League. The Chilean manager took charge at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2009 but had to vacate the position at the end of the season.
Pellegrini welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, and Xavi Alonso to his squad after taking charge. His team secured a club record 96 points in La Liga that season, but still finished second behind Barcelona.
Los Blancos also failed to make a mark in the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League, exiting both competitions in the Round of 16. Pellegrini was removed from his position at the end of May 2010, with the club opting to appoint Jose Mourinho as his successor. It was believed that the Portuguese’s availability forced the La Liga giants into action.
However, speaking recently as cited by Madrid Universal, Pellegrini insisted that his team’s failure in Europe cost him his job.
“Leaving Real Madrid was a sad moment for me because any coach dreams of directing Real Madrid and I would have loved to continue for many years. Not winning the Champions League with Real Madrid was the reason why I ended my contract with the club, since they were waiting for this title for many years,” said Pellegrini
