Story in Marca today that Odegaard isn’t happy and that his representatives contacted club. On the other hand, he hasn’t been impressive in his opportunities! Arsenal is interested and apparently the club wants sale not loan for both Odegaard and Ceballos. Apparently Blanco and Arribas are possibilities to fill out the midfield, whether it be on squad or from Castilla. This is much more in line with Ancelotti only playing 11-15 players.

Looks like Kubo is returning to Mallorca on loan as well as Crust (yesterday) has gone to Cadiz.

Looks like the only thing left after Ceballos and Odegaard sale are the exits of Odiozola and Jovic (apparently Mariano has refused to leave again), plus waiting again for Hazard to put in an appearance.

UPDATE

There is an offer ready to go out, expecting Mbappe to declare this weekend or Monday that he is not happy with Messi signoff. They are doing it 1. Because the feeling is Mbappe transforms team from a series of hopes to a legit contender, 2. PSG will have a tough time qualifying even with their games in revised FFP expected next September 3. Mbappe rumors of discontent and 4. They have the transfer funds thanks to Varane and almost certain sale of Odegaard.

Since original post Crust has gone to Cadiz, Ceballos due to severe injury remains at with club, leaving Odirozola,  Jovic and Mariano exits still to be completed, although still no interest in any of them and Mariano refusing to budge. I suspect club will have to literally give them away and still might have to pay some of their salary. It’s a numbers problem, but not as dire as the situation in Barcelona.


so revised squad list will be
Courtois, Lunin; Carvajal, Lucas, Militao, Alaba, Nacho, Vallejo, Mendy, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Isco possibly Blanco; Bale, Hazard, Benzema, Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Asensio. (23 plus Ceballos and practice GK.

futbol_bill wrote:What an offseason this has turned out to be. A number of past statements from Perez (for which he has been ridiculed) are turning out to be correct!!

From a squad list for this coming season, there are two main deals club is now trying to execute. Sale of Isco and purchase of Mbappe. Both now in realm of possibility with Messi likely heading to PSG.

In order to get squad numbers in line, they are not counting on Ceballos, Jovic and Mariano. There has been no mention of Odriozola and Vallejo, which is a bit of surprise. Vallejo may make it as 4th CB (it looks like it either him or Chust), Odriozola is actual 3rd RB!!

so it looks like squad list will be
Courtois, Lunin; Carvajal, Lucas, Odriozola, Militao, Alaba, Nacho, Vallejo, Mendy, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Odegaard, possibly Blanco; Bale, Hazard, Benzema, Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Asensio. (that's a squad of 24 (counting Blanco) plus 1 for practice GK).

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@Thimmy, he was given chances in the few preseason games and didn’t impress. Not sure what he does in practices, but it does sound like he doesn’t take advantage of his opportunities.

Well Hala, I agree with you on some points, but disagree on some as well.

1. The Pogba rumors are coming all from him, not a word from club. The past was all about Zidane’s interest as well as Sports and Nick. Besides the lack of interest, there is no way club will pay what he would expect in salary.

2. Club will offer what both Mbappe and Haaland will demand in this market in terms of salary and I doubt if there is much difference between the two of them. There will be lots of competition for them and therefore no way of predicting if we will get both, but I expect a solid chance.

3. It seems a lot of you expect wholesale changes. I doubt that given the amount of changes we saw over past 4 or 5 seasons. Plus there is the issue of club finances. No doubt it will improve, but I doubt if it is enough for wholesale changes. My conclusion, focus will likely be on getting the two scorers and just a couple of other changes. Plus there are 3 or 4 possible promotions from Castilla and loan returnees such as Kubo, Brahim and possibly Reiner.

3. I disagree (strongly) about your assessment of Pau, however it will be a 4th CB, they will be looking for so don’t expect a big signature signing.

Point is what teams will be offering both of them. It’s a competition and for sure clubs will be offering millions as salary esp with no transfer fee for one and only 70M for the other.

halamadrid2 wrote:This isn't the first time we sign superstars and won't be the last. I have no doubt in my mind that they won't be put in the same bracket salary wise. When we signed all those superstars together with Ronaldo including a former balon d'or winner nobody was put in the same bracket as Ronaldo and in the end he justify every single penny we paid him and paid for him.

None of our players have been unhappy with their wages like the Bayern players for example. We offer a competitive salary but within our salary hierarchy and everyone are happy all around unless you are consumed with jealousy like Ronaldo

I think we are pretty well saying same thing, however in Haaland case, he is severely underpaid currently and will command a high salary esp with the competition. Both him and Mbappe offer what Ronaldo offered us initially. I expect they will be offered something similiar. When Ronaldo came, Kaka had a similiar salary (obviously he didn’t live up to it, but both were viewed as the key players to turn team around).

If Mbappe does come, there still has to be housekeeping to fit into squad numbers. Current numbers are 26, counting Ceballos (who won’t play until Christmas) and Practice GK and excludes Blanco who remains on Castilla numbers.

Jovic is being offered to La Real (loan), but no word on Odriozola who is the other logical move. Mariano looks to remain as his salary is an obstacle to any move. I suspect they will have both Practice Gk and Blanco on Castilla which makes number 25 and with Jovic loan, there is a roster spot for Mbappe.

Perucho21 wrote:Tranquilo

We've officially bid for Mbappe

it was immediately rejected and they also added they will reject any future higher offers.

I say great, we get him for free next season.