Real Madrid make three late moves on deadline day
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid had a very busy end to the summer transfer window as they made four moves in the last three days of the month in an effort to strengthen the team for the fall. Here is everything that went down.
As many of you already know, Los Blancos got going in the transfer market on Wednesday when they exercised the buyback clause on striker Mariano Diaz, ending his stint with Lyon in France after just one year.
Paying the buyback fee and introducing him Friday afternoon at the Santiago Benabéu, it was revealed that Diaz will sport the number seven, which is, of course, the former number of Real Madrid legend, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wanting to move on quickly from the Ronaldo era it seems, Mariano will step right into the first-team under boss Julen Lopetegui and look to make an impact in the coming weeks as he competes with Karim Benzema for the starting spot.
This signing meant that the backup striker from last season, Borja Mayoral, was going to have a tough time getting regular minutes. Therefore, President Florentino Perez quickly found a loan spot for the Spaniard and sent him to Levante this afternoon.
Announced in a statement from the club, here is what was said in regards to the move:
"“Real Madrid CF and Levante UD have agreed to the transfer of player Borja Mayoral for this season, until June 30, 2019.”"
This is the second time in three years Mayoral has gone out on loan, so let’s hope he can get some quality playing time and soon make his return to the Spanish capital as a more prominent and well-developed player.
Although you might have forgotten him, Fabio Coentrao was owned by Real Madrid until just a couple hours ago. Today, the club ended the Portuguese left-back’s career in Spain by terminating his contract.
While Coentrao has had a troubling few years, it was the right thing for Perez and the board to let him leave. He will rejoin the team with which he began his professional career, Rio Ave, on a free transfer.
Although it has yet to be confirmed, rumor has it Los Blancos have bought back center back Mario Hermoso from Espanyol. Hermoso is a 23-year-old defender who worked his way through the Real Madrid academy before being sold to the Catalan side last summer for €400 thousand.
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After impressing last season in 22 La Liga starts, he could be another guy Julen Lopetegui has as a depth player. Jesús Vallejo has struggled to get over some leg injuries and has been rumored to be on his way out of the Bernabéu on another loan deal.
With the transfer window set to close in just a few hours, it seems unlikely any more deals will go through. However, for Real Madrid, this was an incredibly active last few days.