Midfield priority rules out move to Real Madrid – ‘It would be … — and more

Real Madrid will look to address the engine room of their side this summer, making a move to improve their midfield two seasons after the arrival of Jude Bellingham, and more crucially, after the exits of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Los Blancos have struggled to adapt without their long-time controllers in the middle of the pitch, but it seems that the insistence on Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde as partners for Aurelien Tchouameni has ended.

Reportedly, Xabi Alonso had requested an addition in the middle of the pitch last summer, as had Carlo Ancelotti the year before. Real Madrid were confident they could make it work with their current options, but after watching three managers, including Alvaro Arbeloa, unable to find the solution, it seems they will act this summer.

Vitinha rules out Real Madrid move

The dream signing in the position as it has been termed, is Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha. Although there was an acknowledgement that any deal would be complicated, the Portugal international remained top of their shortlist. However he has now ruled out a move to the Spanish capital.

Image via Fichajes

“It would be foolish to leave. I don’t think it would be the best thing for me. I feel great here at PSG! I feel like people really appreciate me, and I’ve earned that affection. I love being here; my family does too. The group is fantastic, and the coach is incredible,” he told Canal 11, as quoted by Diario AS.

Real Madrid’s alternatives for midfield

That would appear to rule out any pursuit of Vitinha, as the first step would have been him pushing for a move. Other names mentioned are Kees Smit, whose price tag is a concern at the Bernabeu, or Adam Wharton, for whom interest appears to have faded. The economic alternative is Chema Andres, who left Castilla last summer, but has impressed at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Bad news for Roma on the injury front. Hermoso has thrown in the towel and will be unavailable for the away match against Genoa.

According to Il Tempo, the Spanish defender had hoped to return to the squad this week, but the pain in his iliopsoas hasn’t completely disappeared.

Even in the last session, Hermoso performed individualized work, a sign that his recovery isn’t yet complete.

The Giallorossi medical staff has therefore decided not to take any risks, postponing his return until next week, when the defender will be able to attempt to return to training with the rest of the team.

The conflict in the Middle East is impacting Iraq's preparation for an upcoming World Cup play-off in Mexico as embassies and air spaces are closed in the region.

Iraq's FA said on Instagram on Wednesday that coach Graham Arnold is stranded in the United Arab Emirates.

The delegation also appears to have trouble obtaining visas for the March 31 match in Monterrey, Mexico, where Iraq face the winner of a tie between Bolivia and Suriname for a place at the June 11-July 19 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Iraq are bidding to play at the World Cup for a second time, the first being in 1986.

“Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico,” the statement said.

Mexico has no embassy in Iraq but its foreign ministry said that its embassy in the UAE is dealing with the matter and has asked the Iraq FA to submit all names to speed up procedures. It said that visas could also be obtained at its embassies in Europe.

The Iraq statement said they are "in constant communication" with FIFA and that the world governing body as well as the Asian Confederation AFC "are fully aware of every development regarding our team's situation."

Shane Lowry’s collapse at the Cognizant Classic is one that can change the entire trajectory of his season.

With three holes to go, Lowry looked to be cruising to his first individual PGA Tour victory since 2019. He had a three-shot lead and had played all weekend impeccably. Then, disaster struck.

He hit the water with a three iron on 16 on his way to a double bogey, then sliced his tee shot into the water again on the par three 17. The Bear Trap, designed by Jack Nicklaus at PGA National, had claimed another victim.

Lowry lost the tournament by two shots, a five-shot swing over three holes. And how he responds to that will define his season.

No one knows how to rebound from bad results better than his good friend, Rory McIlroy, and the grand slam winner gave Lowry some key advice this week to help the Irishman bounce back.

Rory McIlroy reminded Shane Lowry about his 2014 season

Until last year, 2014 was undoubtedly the best season of McIlroy’s career. He won two majors, had three PGA Tour wins, and won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. But it could have gone very differently.

At the then-called Honda Classic at PGA National, McIlroy also fell into the Bear Trap. He blew a two-shot lead on the back nine before losing in a playoff to Russell Henley.

McIlroy rebounded to have an all-time great season, and he reminded Lowry of that in the week. Speaking before the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Northern Irishman said, “I played golf with him on Monday morning. He was fine. He was in good spirits.

“I reminded him, I double-bogeyed the 16th at PGA National in 2014 to lose the tournament. And I went on to win two majors that year. So I was trying to, yeah, like, look, it’s one event, it was two bad holes, two bad swings.

“It doesn’t mean that the rest of the year’s going to be bad. Again, I had a horrible finish there in 2014 and ended up going on to have one of the best years of my career. So I just reminded him of that.”

It’s exactly what you’d want to hear if you were Lowry, so hopefully it gives him confidence heading into one of the most difficult events of the season at Bay Hill.

Shane Lowry learning from other sportspeople after Cognizant Classic

Lowry spoke about the Cognizant Classic before the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and revealed that he has been getting calls from other sportspeople who have given their own experiences to him.

He said to Chantel McCabe, “It’s been tough, I’m not going to lie. Sunday night, I didn’t sleep at all, really. You go through all the scenarios in your head and the regrets you have, but you know, I’m very fortunate, I’ve got a great support network around me and I had some amazing people reach out to me after the 24 hours after that.

“People I look up to. I got one particular phone call off an Irish sportsperson who I really admire. He was very, very kind to me. I’m friendly with him and I know him pretty well, but to hear other people who have been in that situation, to hear their thoughts on it and learn from it is the biggest thing.

“Obviously, it’s very disappointing. It’s so hard to win on the PGA Tour, and I had a tournament in my hands, and I let it go. I’m going to have regrets over it in the days after that, but that’s where we put ourselves on the PGA Tour, playing on the best tour in the world on the toughest golf courses. I put myself out there, and unfortunately, I didn’t deliver.

“Hopefully, I can keep putting myself out there. I think that’s all I can do. If I keep putting myself there and try to focus on the positives out there. I think I played for a lot of the tournament, some of the best golf my whole career. I felt so in control out there, and one bad swing took it all away from me.

“But it is what it is, and we move on onwards and upwards.”

It’s extraordinary that Lowry has been able to recover mentally from the loss in less than a week, and hopefully, that puts him in good standing for a good result this week.

Liverpool Eye Khéphren Thuram as Midfield Reinforcement Ahead of Summer Window

Liverpool’s recruitment team are already shaping plans for the upcoming summer transfer window, and one name gathering increasing attention is Juventus midfielder Khéphren Thuram. According to reporting by CaughtOffside, the Reds are among several Premier League clubs monitoring the French international as they consider midfield reinforcements ahead of next season.

The report states that “Juventus midfielder Khéphren Thuram is expected to be one of the most closely watched players in the upcoming summer transfer window, with several Premier League clubs monitoring his situation in Turin.” That level of interest reflects how far the 24 year old has developed since arriving in Italy.

Liverpool’s admiration appears particularly significant, with the club exploring the possibility of submitting a structured proposal to tempt Juventus into negotiations.

Liverpool Interest in Thuram Intensifies

Liverpool’s midfield rebuild has been an ongoing process over the last two seasons, and Thuram’s profile fits many of the qualities the club value. As noted in the original report, “Liverpool are believed to be particularly interested in adding more physical presence and ball-winning ability to their midfield.”

Photo: IMAGO

The France international offers precisely that blend. Thuram has become known for his athleticism, powerful ball carrying and ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking phases. His physical profile would add another dimension to Liverpool’s current options.

Sources cited by CaughtOffside suggest Liverpool could explore “a package worth around €45 million plus bonuses” in an attempt to bring the midfielder to Anfield. Whether that figure would satisfy Juventus remains uncertain, especially considering the Italian club reportedly value him between €65 million and €75 million.

Still, Liverpool’s recruitment strategy has often focused on players entering their peak years. Thuram fits that model perfectly.

Growing Reputation in Turin

Since joining Juventus, Thuram has steadily grown into a central figure within their midfield structure. The report explains that he has “grown significantly since arriving in Italy, developing into one of Europe’s most coveted box-to-box midfielders thanks to his physical dominance and ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch.”

His versatility also strengthens his appeal. Thuram can operate deeper to protect the defence, function as a traditional box to box midfielder, or surge forward during attacking transitions.

That adaptability has helped him feature heavily this season, making 35 appearances across all competitions.

One scout quoted within recruitment circles recently described him as “a modern midfield engine, someone capable of carrying the ball through pressure and still recovering defensively.”

Premier League Competition Emerging

Liverpool are not alone in their admiration. The CaughtOffside report confirms that “Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal are among the Premier League sides assessing Thuram as a potential target.”

Manchester United’s interest is linked to long term midfield planning, particularly as they consider life after Casemiro. Arsenal’s approach appears more cautious, though their recruitment team reportedly appreciate Thuram’s ability to operate in high tempo systems.

Despite the growing interest, Juventus remain in a strong position. Thuram is contracted until 2029, meaning the Serie A club control negotiations and can demand a premium fee.

That reality means any Premier League suitor, Liverpool included, would need to present a compelling financial package to test Juventus’ resolve.

Transfer Battle Could Define Summer Window

With several English clubs circling, Thuram could become one of the defining midfield stories of the summer. His blend of physicality, tactical maturity and technical ability fits the demands of the modern Premier League.

For Liverpool, the pursuit appears aligned with a clear objective. Strengthening midfield depth with players capable of dominating transitions remains a priority.

If the reported interest develops into formal negotiations, Anfield could soon emerge as a serious destination for one of Europe’s most sought after midfielders.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, the link with Khéphren Thuram is genuinely exciting. This squad still feels like it is searching for the perfect balance in midfield, particularly after the huge investment made last summer. Arne Slot delivered a remarkable Premier League title in his first season, yet the current campaign has shown there is still work to do.

Liverpool sit sixth with nine matches remaining, and one recurring issue has been control in the middle of the pitch. Thuram could help solve that.

His physical presence alone would add something different. Liverpool have technical midfielders and energetic runners, but a powerful ball carrier who can break lines through strength and stride length would give Slot another tactical weapon. Watching Thuram drive forward from deep positions in Serie A, you can easily imagine him doing the same at Anfield with runners ahead of him.

Another appealing aspect is his age profile. At 24, he is entering his prime years. Liverpool’s recruitment strategy often targets players at this stage so they can develop further within the system.

Competition from Manchester United and Arsenal makes the situation complicated, but Liverpool should absolutely be pushing hard for this signing. If the reported €45 million plus bonuses offer is real, it feels like a sensible starting point.

Supporters will hope the club follow through. Thuram looks like a player capable of transforming the midfield dynamic, and Anfield would welcome that energy immediately.