2024/25 was a down year for Real Madrid.
After the jubilation of a La Liga and Champions League a season prior, many expected them to challenge for both trophies again.
With the addition of Kylian Mbappe, this seemed a match made in heaven.
Instead, they were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter final stage, finished second in the league and Mbappe’s former club Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League.
A 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona in October started the beginning of the end for manager Carlo Ancelotti’s time in Madrid.
The connection between Mbappe and Bellingham does not seem to be there, despite the former’s 44 goals in all competitions.
Carlo Ancelotti left at the end of the season and was replaced with former player Xabi Alonso.
Madrid’s new manager had a successful period with Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to an unbeaten league title and a German Cup triumph in the 2023/24 season.
A Europa League final defeat denied them of an undefeated treble, and Alonso followed this up with a second place-finish in the Bundesliga.
He has since managed in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer in the United States of America, where they were eliminated at the semi-final stage, bowing out to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid were not at the races in their defeat to PSG, losing 4-0 and only having 31% possession.
Alonso is already facing his first challenge as Los Blancos manager, with one player’s contract situation looking precarious.
€1 Billion offer made to Real Madrid star
According to reports, Madrid’s star attacker Vinicius Junior could be set for another €1 billion offer to leave the club.
There are increasing rumours of a rift between him and Alonso.
A previous offer of $1 Billion from the Saudi Pro League was previously rejected by the Brazilian.
Despite initial contract talks reportedly being close to getting a renewal a few months, there is no confirmation of any contract update.
An offer of a billion euros is said to be back on the table.
This would be €200 million a year over the course of a five-year contract
Should he decide to leave Madrid for Saudi Arabia, then this would be the biggest sign of intent that the Saudi Pro League means business, getting one of the best players in the world in the peak of their powers.
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