Real Madrid are preparing to face Liverpool in Paris this weekend in the UEFA Champions League final. It will be a rematch of the pair's 2018 showdown, which Madrid won 3-1 to win their 13th title in the competition.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have identified a Manchester City attacker as the ideal alternative to Kylian Mbappe. Elsewhere, Eden Hazard has revealed that he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On that note, here's a look at the key Real Madrid transfer stories as on 25 May 2022:
Real Madrid identify Raheem Sterling as Kylian Mbappe alternative
Real Madrid have identified Raheem Sterling as an alternative to Kylian Mbappe, according to Marca via The Daily Star. The La Liga giants received a huge setback last week when the Frenchman opted to stay with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). However, Los Blancos have moved quickly to identify Sterling as an alternate target.
The La Liga giants are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old, who could leave the Etihad this summer after falling out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola. Real Madrid are willing to take advantage of the situation and want to add the 27-year-old to their roster. The La Liga champions are willing to pay €59 million for his signature.
Eden Hazard wants to stay at Santiago Bernabeu
Eden Hazard has expressed a desire to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond the summer. The Belgian has endured a difficult time since joining Real Madrid in 2019. He has suffered a slew of injuries and has been linked with a move away from the club.
However, speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, Hazard said that he is determined to come good with Los Blancos.
“The coach knows that I still have two years here. The first three years have not gone well. I want to show everyone what I can do. I am focusing on Saturday - the Champions League final against Liverpool - and continue my preparation for the season that's coming,” said Hazard.
The Belgian added that he has always dreamt of playing for the La Liga champions.
“I'm still in my dream, I've always dreamed of this. My life goal has been to play here. My family has always been happy here, (and) even now they are. I feel good; the operation went well. Everyone knows I needed it; I was lucky to be able to do it. I'm (back) just in time for the Champions League final,” said Hazard.
Since his arrival in 2019, the Belgian has managed only 66 appearances across competitions.
Jordan Henderson sends warning to Los Blancos
Jordan Henderson has warned Real Madrid that they would face a different Liverpool side this weekend. Los Blancos got the better of the same opponents in the UEFA Champions League final in 2018.
Speaking to The Guardian, Henderson, 31, said that the Reds have grown as a team since that game.
“I would say they are facing a different Liverpool, for sure. We did very well to get there when we played Real Madrid in the final in 2018. The lads were incredible. But we've grown since then. New players have come in; we've been successful; we've had bad moments as well within that period, and all of that you learn from. I definitely feel this is a different team to what Real Madrid faced a few years ago,” said Henderson.
The Englishman went on to express a desire to create history with Liverpool, saying:
Solarisaul17
0
I now understand why Madrid was very angry about the Mbappe contract they wanted to have him to play against Liverpool , oh sorry o, Madrid my second team
If Real Madrid had sign Kylian Mbappé there’s no way he would play the UCL Final because he already played for PSG this season
Dasadstu
1
No! Real Madrid should go for SADIO MANE before is too late.
yecbemst
0
We should rather go for son than sterling
Nopakmtuy
0
he is not good at all ,only number 11of Ajax
rajuahmad
0
Good decision
NeXesAJ17
0
WOW!
duzbmnoru
0
but this is 2022, and you peoples should that one of terrible player is not present in the team, which is Ramos and Salah is not forget about what happened 2018, so u people will fine a difficult today, and we shall see.
suseknpty
1
bring son
DinAli316
1
we don't want sterling
son or neymar
DinAli316
0
no need for sterling we want son he better than him
yes or neymar, let us remember neymar is a real madrid fan an his dad sent him barca, psg want him gone so he is a bargain
DinAli316
0
Why Sterling go and find a very good player
I taught he would opt for antony, mane, or even dembele, inaki williams or chukweze or even neymar, but sterling hmmm
teubdnpsz
1
please president real Madrid real Madrid don't need players like Raheem sterling please 🙏 forget buying the guy
Luobcknpsu
1
Why Sterling go and find a very good player
Yaubkmsyz
0
is it the different side that straddled to beat Villarreal, wolves, benfica etc? we sick and tired of you guys bragging. even if you guys play 13 against 11, we still gonna whip ur asses
you ghat my back man
Yaubkmsyz
0
It won't happen
luhclortz
0
no need for sterling we want son he better than him
true brother, son us better technically and tactically discipline
luhclortz
0
I now understand why Madrid was very angry about the Mbappe contract they wanted to have him to play against Liverpool , oh sorry o, Madrid my second team
please educate people with facts, discerning readers knew that guy is cup tied so there's no way he will feature for us
luhclortz
1
is it the different side that straddled to beat Villarreal, wolves, benfica etc? we sick and tired of you guys bragging. even if you guys play 13 against 11, we still gonna whip ur asses
bosaeilrt
1
I now understand why Madrid was very angry about the Mbappe contract they wanted to have him to play against Liverpool , oh sorry o, Madrid my second team
liybopsuz
2
I prefer son
secailopsy
0
no need for sterling we want son he better than him
hocaimry
1
we don't want sterling
I'm with you bro
ticinpr
0
fake news
zimackmsy
0
This news annoys me a lot
jopbeknor
2
we don't want sterling
Mahzi70
0
Go for son 🔊 🔊 🔊🔊🔊
huhimopuz
0
Capital NO,, thought,a good player but Madrid don't need him now
Eddyaustin
1
Aswear an out of form Hazard is better than Sterling
Baresi10
0
cause they are paranoid, they know that the whole tournament they have been lucky
Cry more
Meghamegha
0
Yea sterling is good
papabrains
0
Madrid should sign Sterling at all cost to cater for the right-wing position...
francis_0426
0
then sterling to son then son mane then mane to nkunku and the chain continues 🤣🤣🤣 but none of them will actually come
🤣🤣
Don Zayo
0
Fake rumours
MADRID♡☆☆
0
we need Sterling
hell no🤦♂️
MADRID♡☆☆
0
hell no😭😭
Hinailmnot
1
The worst mistake Madrid would do is to sign Sterling and Pogba. These are substandard players.
Viwckortuz
0
madrid wins it 3 time in a row, and bad news is that they are in the final again
Xeron986
1
Sterling is clear of Mbappe 😂😂
zioabilpyz
0
Sterling!!!??? Someone tell me it’s a lie
nasirahmed
2
whattt . we don't need him. instead of him give chance to Mariano and Jovic. Ancelotti can turn them into Better than Sterling
AshraT
0
Everyone knows that Liverpool will come out smoking. I think they will run run run round madrid and jam out to score early goal that can unsettled MADRID. At the end nothing serious will happen to MADRID other than the whites surely will win the game!
Venomxos7
0
We don't need sterling as we have Hazard.
miadilmopy
1
Listen Listen Listen please 🙏 please 🙏 please 🙏 real Madrid forget buying Sterling forget finding another player
yeybcrstyz
0
Sterling?? 🤣😂🤣😂😭 but Sterling?? Even Pep doesn't play him.
What are you saying Grealish better? Sterling singlehandedly took England to finals in the euros. Facts
yeybcrstyz
0
Sterling will light up la liga and the champions league because he won all domestic trophy 🏆 with man city. He is going to be even stronger as he is in his peak years. Real Madrid can’t go wrong with this one.
yudademnp
1
hazard must stay
yudademnp
2
we need Sterling
zokkmorst
0
why did they need to buy someone when they're playing best football than other teams
cause they are paranoid, they know that the whole tournament they have been lucky
zokkmorst
0
From Haaland to Mbappe 🤣From Mbappe to Sterling 🤣 Really even pep doesn't have him in starting 11 😄😄
then sterling to son then son mane then mane to nkunku and the chain continues 🤣🤣🤣 but none of them will actually come
yipbdeikpz
0
why did they need to buy someone when they're playing best football than other teams