The transfer saga at Real Madrid is almost over now. I don’t believe any more arrivals are expected, though some late shocking departures may still unfold if the conditions align.
Dani Ceballos recently pulled a U-turn to completely collapse his transfer to Olympique Marseille. Initially, he seemed interested, but later halted negotiations, with reports suggesting that the player considered a move to Ligue 1 a backward step in his career. Until then, a loan deal with an obligation to buy was practically set in motion.
Rodrygo, too, finds himself in uncertain waters. Although he started the Real Oviedo game, he was only decent and did not do enough to stake a serious claim for regular starts. He was okay at best.
Madrid were also on the lookout for a Joselu-type striker earlier in the window before the sudden rise of Gonzalo Garcia reshaped their plans.
So, the team seems more or less complete. But one player Real Madrid are about to miss out on could turn into a big opportunity lost.
Newcastle close deal with striker Real Madrid had eyes on
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, who shocked the footballing world during the U21 Euros a few months ago.
During the tournament, Real Madrid were rumoured to be closely monitoring the German forward, who scored six goals in five games.
At just 23 years old and standing at a towering 6’5”, Woltemade is exactly the type of physical striker Madrid have lacked.
We wrote earlier about how Real Madrid are failing to fully exploit the world-class crossing ability of Trent Alexander-Arnold, simply because they do not play a true striker.
Kylian Mbappe is brilliant in his own way, but he is not the kind of towering target man who thrives on aerial deliveries.
Woltemade could have been that player had Madrid moved for him. Still, looking at the squad now, things seem to be working fine without him.
Gonzalo Garcia is emerging as the natural striker Madrid always wanted. Endrick is also on the way. And Mbappe brings far more than heading ability to the frontline.
Woltemade is moving to the Premier League, and all the luck may well be with him.