:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69746038/1334890484.0.jpg)
The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.
Preparations continue for Levante clash.
The team completed its second training session of the week at Real Madrid City in preparation for the league clash with Levante, which will kick off on Sunday at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium. Hopefully our right back will be ready and raring to go.
| Unless something happens, Carvajal will play against Levante on Sunday. @marca pic.twitter.com/eAj2RPbTNY
— Madrid Xtra. (@MadridXtra) August 18, 2021
Could the focus now shift to Haaland?
With the latest news on the Mbappe front being that he will stay in Paris for atleast another year, could Real Madrid now turn their attention to Erling Haaland. According to Marca, Martin Odegaard’s imminent move to Arsenal will be the latest in a long line of smart sales, and the 40-million-euro fee will take the money earned to the 200 million mark.
This amount, in theory, should be enough to sign a superstar before the end of the transfer window, and that superstar will be either Mbappe or Haaland.
Such a kitty has been nicely bolstered by the 45 million departure of Achraf Hakimi, the 30 million sale of Sergio Reguilon and Raphael Varane’s 50-million-euro move to Manchester United.
A deal for Haaland will only happen when PSG make their final stance clear on Mbappe, with such a development not expected until the last week of the window. At that point Dortmund probably won’t even consider negotiating as it’ll be too late for them to find a replacement.
“He’s a different person, he even looks different”!!
Yes we’re talking about none other than Gareth Bale. Yes the same “Wales, Golf, Madrid.......In that Order” Gareth Bale. Word from Valdebebas seems to be that Carlo Ancelotti is delighted with the Welshman’s attitude.
Bale isn’t just going through the motions anymore, he’s not just present, he’s all in. From an apathetic player coasting through the latter days of his time under Zinedine Zidane, the Gareth Bale working for Ancelotti is focused, integreated and a lively and sociable member of the group. We shall see, We shall see.