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Real Madrid News Real Madrid face squad size hurdle in bid to sign Racing Santander youngster Real Madrid already have a very talented squad at their disposal, filled with superstars, but they are constantly on the lookout for market opportunities. Los Blancos want to make the kind of signings where they are ahead of the curve and sign a player before his potential explodes. Madrid well and truly have seen how a player’s price can skyrocket after just one good season, as has been the case with Yan Diomande this summer. The Ivory Coast winger was in La Liga at Leganes less than a season and a half ago, and had Madrid signed him then, they might have saved a lot of money. Thus, it comes as no surprise to see them interested in a player like Sergio Martinez, who is playing for newly promoted Racing Santander. Madrid keeping tabs on Sergio Martinez According to Javi Herraez on El Larguero, Madrid are interested in Martinez, but there are currently no slots available for the player. As a result, remaining at Racing Santander is a genuine possibility. Madrid’s interest in the 2007-born Spanish prodigy is real, but it seems highly unlikely that they can bring him in this summer. Signing a player for Castilla who is set to receive regular game time at Racing in La Liga would also not make sense. With the squad structure already crowded and several young players competing for opportunities, bringing another prospect into the system without a clear role would be counterproductive. Staying at Racing could be the solution That could leave Martinez in Santander for the time being. Rather than forcing through a transfer immediately, Madrid could continue monitoring his development while the youngster receives the playing time and stability required at this stage of his career. It is an approach that could benefit everyone involved. One option that Madrid can explore is signing Martinez this summer but loaning him back to Racing for a season or two. With regular game time under his belt, he could develop into a special player and reach the next level while being contracted to Madrid. The only thing the Spanish club should look to avoid at all costs is signing Sergio Martinez and bringing him in without a clear plan this season. The decision-makers at Madrid have an important call to make here, and it remains to be seen how they go about handling this transfer saga in the coming weeks. Real Madrid News Jose Mourinho identifies his preferred pivot pairing at Real Madrid – report Journalist Roberto Morales believes Jose Mourinho has already given a strong indication of how he wants his new-look midfield to operate. After a busy summer that has brought six new signings and several departures, Mourinho is still working towards his ideal starting XI. There are questions in several positions, particularly in midfield and attack, although the Portuguese coach’s use of a 4-2-3-1 system during pre-season has provided some early clues. According to Roberto Morales, as relayed in Defensa Central, Mourinho’s preferred double pivot could consist of Aurelien Tchouameni and new signing Bernardo Silva. The pairing would place two very different profiles at the base of Real Madrid’s midfield, with Tchouameni providing defensive protection and Bernardo offering control and quality in possession. Morales also believes the decision could have consequences for Arda Guler’s role in Mourinho’s plans. Tchouameni and Bernardo tipped for Mourinho’s double pivot Roberto Morales believes Mourinho has a clear idea of the players he wants at the centre of his system. The journalist has predicted that Tchouameni and Bernardo Silva will operate behind Real Madrid’s attacking players in the Portuguese manager’s preferred formation. “With Mbappe, Vinicius, Diomande, and Bellingham, the two midfielders who will play behind them are Tchouameni and Bernardo Silva,” Morales stated. It is an update that contradicts previous claims that Federico Valverde would partner Bernardo Silva, although that was only predicted for the Espanyol game, since Tchouameni is currently not fully fit. As such, Tchouameni would be expected to take responsibility for protecting the defence and winning possession, while Bernardo Silva could provide the technical control needed to connect the midfield with Real Madrid’s dangerous attacking unit. Ahead of them, Morales sees Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Yan Diomande and Jude Bellingham forming the attacking line. That prediction also appears to leave little room for Guler in the No. 10 position, despite the Turkish midfielder’s obvious talent and ability to influence games in the final third. Real Madrid’s defence appears more settled While uncertainty remains over parts of the midfield and attack, the defensive picture is starting to look clearer. At right-back, Mourinho is expected to have two strong options in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries. Rather than one player immediately becoming the undisputed starter, regular rotation could be part of the plan. The situation in central defence appears more straightforward. Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate are currently seen as the pairing most likely to start regularly, giving Mourinho a new-look partnership at the heart of the back line. On the left, Marc Cucurella is reportedly the leading candidate to take the starting role after arriving as one of Real Madrid’s major additions this summer.