Real Madrid Transfer News: The latest on Antonio Rudiger, Rafael Leao and other signings, loans and targets for the 2022 summer window

With the La Liga title and UEFA Champions League double in hand, Real Madrid head into the 2022 summer off-season with a number of questions to answer.

The Real Madrid squad is ageing, and although some younger players have risen through the ranks and established themselves as first-team regulars, they still rely on a number of older players and succession planning will soon be required for some of them. . .

Karim Benzema, coming off a possible Ballon d’Or caliber season, is 34 years old and an eventual decline is inevitable. Midfielder Toni Kroos is 32 and at times seemed unable to keep up with the rigors of a full season, but his midfield partner Luka Modric still oozes quality at 36. The club will keep all three, but Los Blancos will surely plan ahead.

Losing to PSG for 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe was a painful blow, and Real Madrid’s response to hit-and-miss could define the summer.

The Sporting News is pulling together the key updates, all day, every day, below.

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REAL MADRID CONFIRMED OFFERS:

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Real Madrid transfer news

Last update: June 2

Antonio Rüdiger’s deal confirmed

On June 2, Real Madrid finally announced the signing of German defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer from Chelsea. The talented 29-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the club.

🙌 #WelcomeRüdiger 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rP2yFOjse1

– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 2, 2022

Aurelien Tchouameni, close to moving to Madrid

AS Monaco’s 22-year-old midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who was statistically one of the highest-rated midfielders in Ligue 1 last season, is a wanted man. His contract runs out in the summer of 2024, and now could be the time for Monaco to cash in on their highly-rated youngster.

UPDATE (May 31): According to Sky Sports, Real Madrid are in “advanced talks” with Tchouameni ahead of an €80m ($86m/£68m) transfer. Tchouameni has reached a personal agreement with both Madrid and Liverpool, but he has chosen the Spanish team. According to ESPN, there was a delay in the deal as Monaco would have been subject to a massive tax penalty from Spanish authorities due to its “tax haven” status, but Madrid has reportedly put up some extra money to help with this process.

Luka Modric stays at Real Madrid

The 36-year-old Modric will reportedly extend his stay at Real Madrid for another year. His contract is due to expire on June 30, 2022, but it makes sense that the club would look to keep him a little longer given how productive he was in 2021-22.

UPDATE (May 29): Marca reported that his salary will not change as he prepares for an eleventh season at the club.

Rafael Leao’s mega contract after losing Mbappé?

Just days after Real Madrid missed out on the race for Kylian Mbappé, the club is now the subject of similarly bold bid rumors. AC Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leao, 22, had a spectacular end to the Serie A season, a key factor in the club’s successful run at the Italian. shield. Real Madrid will have to test AC Milan’s resolve as the Rossoneri won’t want to lose their young star, but with two years remaining on his contract, now may be the time to cash in.

UPDATE (May 27): A report in Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport on May 25 indicated that Real Madrid could prepare a massive bid worth $129 million (€120 million/£102 million) for Leao, but AC Milan sporting director Paolo Maldini. considers Leao “untouchable”.

Eden Hazard’s loan is unlikely: he has a point to prove

The Belgian international is making it very clear that he wants to be around in 2022/23 to show why Real Madrid spent $155m to acquire him from Chelsea.

Injuries have limited his ability to contribute, although he was fit to play in the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool had Carlo Ancelotti opted to play him.

UPDATE (May 25): Hazard told Belgian midfielder Het Laatste Nieuws that “the coach knows I still have a contract until 2024. My first three seasons at Real Madrid haven’t gone well, so I want to show everyone what I can do.”

Raheem Sterling: Next attacking option for Real Madrid?

Another option for Real Madrid could be Man City winger Raheem Sterling, who has enjoyed success under Pep Guardiola. But with the prospect of reduced minutes following the arrival of Erling Haaland, he is yet to sign a contract extension and his current deal expires in the summer of 2023. Could Real Madrid try to snap up the England international?

UPDATE (May 23): The Express in England are reporting that Real Madrid are “lining up” a £50m/$63m offer for Sterling, testing Man City’s resolve given his contract situation.

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Real Madrid summer transfer market 2022

Players in:

Date	Player	Position	Years	Club	Transfer/loan fee
June 2nd	anthony rudiger	CB	29	chelsea	free transfer

Out Players:

Date	Player	Position	Years	Club	Transfer/loan fee
June 30th	Gareth Bale	RW	32	out of contract	free transfer
June 30th	Marcelo	LB	3. 4	out of contract	free transfer
June 30th	Isco	CAM	30	out of contract	free transfer

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Below is the updated Real Madrid first team squad. New additions during the summer window of 2022 are indicated in bold:

Goalkeepers (2): Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin

Defenders (7): Antonio Rudiger (CB) David Alaba (CB), Dani Carvajal (RB), Nacho Fernandez (CB), Miguel Gutierrez (LB), Ferland Mendy (LB), Eder Militao (CB), Lucas Vazquez (RB).

Midfielders (6): Eduardo Camavinga (CM), Casemiro (CM), Dani Ceballos (CM), Toni Kroos (CM), Luka Modric (CM), Federico Valverde (CM).

Forwards (7): Marco Asensio (ED), Karim Benzema (DC), Mariano Díaz (DC), Eden Hazard (EI), Luka Jovic (DC), Vinicius Junior (ED), Rodrygo (ED).

CB = central defender; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = center steering wheel; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = center forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing

Real Madrid’s current projected starting line-up, when fully healed, currently looks like this:

Projection of the starting XI of Real Madrid (4-3-3, from left to right): Courtois (GK) – Mendy, Rudiger, Militao, Carvajal – Kroos, Casemiro, Modric – Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo.

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ANALYSIS OF REAL MADRID: