There’s a growing sense that Real Madrid have reached the end of an era
After sealing their third European Cup on the trot in Kiev at the end of last season, they’ve changed managers and bid farewell to their all-time record goalscorer. Though it’s still relatively early days, the signs are that Real have not adapted too well to these changes.
A defeat in their last outing away at Alavés – their first at the Mendizorrotza Stadium in 87 years – has seen the pressure heaped on Julen Lopetegui. Not only did it follow a Champions League defeat to CSKA Moscow, but also saw them pass 400 minutes without scoring a goal – their worst run since 1985.
Though the international break has seen speculation about Lopetegui’s future cool, some reports have linked other Real players with a departure, namely Luka Modric. The Croatian, one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or, was repeatedly linked with a move to Inter Milan in the summer. Though some reports went as far as claiming Modric had asked to leave Madrid, he ended up staying put at the Bernabeu.
Despite this, talk of a move to Inter has now resurfaced: Corriere dello Sport claiming a verbal agreement has been reached between the Nerazzurri and Modric. Florentino Perez is said to be reluctant to agree to the deal, though is open to sanctioning it if he can sign either Kylian Mbappe or Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
Both players were linked with a move to Real in the summer, the European champions swiftly moving to kill such talk by releasing official statements. According to reports, they remain very much interested in the pair – perhaps increasingly so given their current drought in front of goal.
Inter are said to be eyeing a move for Modric in January, not traditionally a time when major transfers take place. However, with new Uefa rules allowing players who switch clubs during the course of a season to play for both in the Champions League, this year may be different.
