JUST IN: ALVARO ARBELOA "EXCLUDED" FROM SUMMER PLANS DESPITE KEEPING MADRID IN TITLE RACE
Real Madrid reportedly favours Jurgen Klopp to replace Alvaro Arbeloa this summer as Florentino Perez plans a massive squad rebuild.
Real Madrid have apparently already made up their minds about Alvaro Arbeloa’s future, and all signs point to Jurgen Klopp as the favourite to take over.
It’s been another rough year for Madrid. After going trophyless under Carlo Ancelotti in 2024/25—a real rarity for them—they brought in Xabi Alonso. He came in with a good reputation from his time at Bayer Leverkusen and, of course, his history as a Madrid and Liverpool player. But honestly, things fell apart fast. Alonso walked into chaos and just couldn’t steady the ship. Reports say he clashed with several big personalities in the squad, and it all came to a head when he left in early January.
With Alonso gone, Real turned to Arbeloa, who’d been managing the Castilla side. But from the start, it felt like a stopgap. The rumours about Klopp coming in didn’t go away, and Arbeloa’s results haven’t helped his case. His first game? Real crashed out of the Copa del Rey against Albacete. Then, just this week, they lost 4-2 to Mourinho’s Benfica and got knocked down to the Champions League play-offs. Sure, Arbeloa’s won his two La Liga matches, and Madrid’s only a point behind Barcelona, but it seems the club’s already looking past him.
A new report from Spain says Real Madrid have left Arbeloa out of their summer transfer plans. He’s there to steer the ship until the season ends, but that’s it. Florentino Perez trusts him to get them through for now, but the club’s already decided they want someone with more experience—Klopp leads the list, with Joachim Low as a backup option.
The same report claims Real are gearing up for a busy summer. Their number one target? Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund, who’s also been linked to Liverpool. He’s valued at 60 million euros, which Madrid apparently finds pretty appealing. They’re also after a new playmaker to fill the gap left by Luka Modric. Enzo Fernandez and Vitinha are the main names on their radar, and Rodri from Manchester City could be an option once his contract runs out in 2027.
There’s more. Madrid are apparently planning to move on from at least three players before next season. Ferland Mendy’s first on the transfer list. David Alaba’s contract runs out on June 30, and the club won’t renew it—he’s their second-highest earner, so his departure frees up a lot of money. And then there’s Eduardo Camavinga, who just hasn’t lived up to expectations. All in all, it looks like Madrid is heading for another big summer shake-up.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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