Ancelotti dismisses Haaland rumours and hits back at Bale critics
FT Desk
- 8 Apr 2022 13:43 BST
- 5 min read
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has just dropped a huge hint about the club’s priorities in the forthcoming summer transfer window.
The Spanish giants have been heavily linked with moves for a number of Europe’s top strikers this summer, including Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland.
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Indeed, it seems almost certain that the France international will make a move to Los Blancos in a few months' time, when his contract at PSG comes to an end.
However, murmurs of Haaland joining Mbappe at Madrid have come to an abrupt halt in recent weeks, with Manchester City reportedly now in the lead for the Norwegian’s signature.
And when asked about the prospect of signing two striker this summer, Ancelotti was quick to point out that Madrid already had a tremendous No.9 in Karim Benzema and that he would still be a key player next season.
"Karim's age makes no difference to the team-mate he has,” said Ancelotti at a press conference on Friday.
“In the future he will be one of the most important players in the team, whoever his team-mate is".
’Bale deserve a proper goodbye to the Bernabeu’
Another Madrid forward who could play a huge part in the summer transfer window is Gareth Bale, who is expected to depart the club when his own contract comes to an end this summer.
The Wales international has come under immense criticism from Madrid fans and the Spanish press for struggling to perform or keep match fit for the club in recent seasons.
So much so that one Spanish paper went as far as to describe him as a “parasite” during the international break.
However, Ancelotti dismissed any notions that he held a grudge against the forward and instead pointed out that Bale deserved a fitting goodbye to the club before the end of the season.
"Gareth is doing well, as we saw with Wales. And he wants to show it here, with his team,” said Ancelotti.
“He wants to go out well. It would be fair for him to say goodbye to the Bernabéu. He has entered the history of this club with his goals, his games and the titles."
