Real Madrid ‘press button’ to recruit €15m Vini Jr replacement
Robin Bairner
- 23 Nov 2023 10:08 GMT
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are on the lookout for a replacement for Vinicius Junior, who faces an extended period on the sidelines because of injury, and Los Blancos have reportedly line up a surprise transfer for Galatasaray forward Mauro Icardi.
Vini Jr faces at least two months on the sidelines because of a thigh injury, leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s side short of attacking options given that they are already short of a high-class No.9 following the exit of Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Now they are looking to remedy that issue by dipping back into the transfer market in January.
Fotomac reports that Real Madrid have “pressed the button to recruit a striker” in the wake of Vini Jr’s injury. It is said that Ancelotti has requested that the club sign Icardi.
The Turkish media reports that Los Blancos are ready to pay Los Blancos are ready to pay €15 million for the 30-year-old, who is under contract until 2026.
This valuation is roughly in line with FootballTransfers’ €13.6m expected transfer value for the former Sampdoria, Inter Milan and PSG star, who only moved to Galatasaray on a permanent basis in the summer for €10m.
Such a fee could be enough to entice the Super Lig club into a sale given the quick profit they would make.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, though, it would be a strange move to sign a striker that Ancelotti requested just six months before he leaves the club.
The centre-forward is also not a like-for-like replacement for Vini Jr, while Madrid already have a journeyman forward on their books in the form of Joselu. The Argentine would be an upgrade, but not a significant one.
Icardi linked with Real Madrid transfer again
Icardi’s agent and wife Wanda Nara hinted that the player could leave the club in the summer, when he was also being linked with Madrid.
In an Instagram post, she said: “I congratulate all Galatasaray fans. I feel part of this big family, I know Mauro and I knew from day one that he would lift this trophy. I remember very well the day when I convinced him, in Paris. Today we celebrate with you, our dream has come true.
“We will never forget our Galatasaray family, we will forever carry you in our hearts. This is seen as a farewell message from the player's companion. This also has cause for concern for PSG, which is counting a priori on its sale. To be continued in the next episode…”
It would be surprising if Icardi’s next episode was to be at Real Madrid in January, despite these latest rumours.
