Rebuilding Madrid, One Pass at a Time - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

AppleBob86 · Nov 12, 2025

City are not just going to handover Doku and doesn’t strike me as a player Madrid would spend more than 60ME on. City’s valuation would be north of 90M

Serengeti_Boy · Nov 12, 2025

Hendrix22 said: ↑

I know it sounds like a broken record, but Doku would be an incredible replacement for Vinicius under the assumption we need a left winger because Mbappe wants to stay in the center.

Doku can be Mbappe's wingman that Vinicius doesnt want to be, because hes very assist oriented pass first player. He knows his place in the hierarchy, super humble and coachable personality. He is insanely good at small space combos against the low block and when there is space on the counter he is brilliant at making through balls from the left side to a vertical striker who is making fast diagonal runs. This is a major addition to his game from Pep and it suits Mbappe perfectly. Hes also become very good at the defensive part of the game, pressing and positioning. Also great at keeping possession and makes very few unnecessary turnovers.

All of this is Pep's work and Xabi would love that type of player for his tactics. Basicaly hes the opposite of Vini in that regard while still able to break down defences. Honestly he might be the best winger in the world in the next years and if Vini leaves he would be my #1 choice to replace him.
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I like Doku. But can't trust him. He just has signs of a confidence player and is volatile. Actually he's literally like Vini but with a lower peak or maybe one he hasn't unlocked yet.

Eh but on his day he's unplayable.

Saeta Rubia · Nov 13, 2025

Mbappe looking to tap up unprofessionally. Maybe he's closer to Upamecano than Konate?

Upama is having much better season than Konate and was Deschamps preferred choice as NT starter over Konate even when he was getting trolled for big match blunders at Bayern in previous seasons.

🚨 CONFIRMED: Real Madrid has reached out to Dayot Upamecano’s agents to inform them about their interest.

If he doesn’t renew with Bayern, Real Madrid will look to sign him. @JorgeCPicon pic.twitter.com/eQg0nEPi9t
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 12, 2025

🗣️ Kylian Mbappé: “Upamecano? He’s in talks for best defender in the world this season. He’s super dominant, beats attackers, wins duels. He’s a tactical asset. He’s in a great club, Bayern, there is not much better...but there is better (smiles). I'm not going to say anything… pic.twitter.com/9fd64V8SLF
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 12, 2025

Saeta Rubia · Nov 13, 2025

Still think Bayern are favourites to renew Upamecano. But unlike Davies situation, Mbappe and Tchouaméni being at RM could be a factor. Do think Jude playing at RM played a role is TAA choosing to come alongside other factors.

4x4s · Nov 13, 2025

Saeta Rubia said: ↑

Still think Bayern are favourites to renew Upamecano. But unlike Davies situation, Mbappe and Tchouaméni being at RM could be a factor. Do think Jude playing at RM played a role is TAA choosing to come alongside other factors.

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Davies later admitted that he never wanted to leave, it was his agent doing negotiation tactics, and that he just felt like moving away from Munich after all it took to getting used to it and starting all over again somewhere else was too much.

I feel like it's the same with Vini. Whatever reports are out there, I just know Vini doesn't want to go and play elsewhere.

Saeta Rubia · Nov 13, 2025

🚨 CONFIRMED: Nico Paz has a STRONG chance to return to Real Madrid NEXT SEASON!

The player has ignored interest from other clubs as his goal is to return to Real Madrid. @MarioCortegana 🇦🇷🤍 pic.twitter.com/itNXnzhq2c
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 13, 2025

🚨❌ No talks between Chelsea and Rodrygo for January window despite links. @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/tzFsJnkLTj
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 13, 2025

AppleBob86 · Nov 13, 2025

I think we sell Camavinga. I also think there is a strong chance Vini is gone.

I also think it would be insane to not bring Paz back and allow Xabi to work with him. He’d instantly upgrade the attack.

boeder · Nov 13, 2025

Brother Ibrahima should take Liverpool's offer

It's a lose-win-win for everyone (Liverpool-Konaté-RM)

libertao · Nov 13, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

Davies later admitted that he never wanted to leave, it was his agent doing negotiation tactics, and that he just felt like moving away from Munich after all it took to getting used to it and starting all over again somewhere else was too much..
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Out of curiosity, how is his German?

4x4s · Nov 13, 2025

libertao said: ↑

Out of curiosity, how is his German?
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Gave his first interview in "light" German this year, it's really not easy though, i get it. I know people that live in this country for over 25 years and still barely speak it.

Dr. MvN · Nov 14, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

Gave his first interview in "light" German this year, it's really not easy though, i get it. I know people that live in this country for over 25 years and still barely speak it.
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And just given the nature of the sport, unless you're at a smaller club (and probably below the Bundesliga) it's really just not necessary. I remember years ago when Kovac was at Frankfurt when I was watching a game and the commentator saying that the most common language in the dressing room was English. This is only even moreso the case at a club of Bayern's level. For all the places he managed at during his career, Bayern was the only place Ancelotti never got comfortable with the local language.

It probably takes having a manager like Steffen Baumgart who don't speak English well for German to be the language of the dressing room. I dunno how many other current Bundesliga managers - Baumgart aside - who don't speak English to some degree. I guess I've never heard Frank Schmidt speak English but I could just not be paying any attention.

4x4s · Nov 14, 2025

Dr. MvN said: ↑

And just given the nature of the sport, unless you're at a smaller club (and probably below the Bundesliga) it's really just not necessary. I remember years ago when Kovac was at Frankfurt when I was watching a game and the commentator saying that the most common language in the dressing room was English. This is only even moreso the case at a club of Bayern's level. For all the places he managed at during his career, Bayern was the only place Ancelotti never got comfortable with the local language.

It probably takes having a manager like Steffen Baumgart who don't speak English well for German to be the language of the dressing room. I dunno how many other current Bundesliga managers - Baumgart aside - who don't speak English to some degree. I guess I've never heard Frank Schmidt speak English but I could just not be paying any attention.
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All i know is whenever i hear some of the German managers that coach successfully in the Premier League speak english it sounds like nails on the chalkboard to me. Just awful amounts of accent.

Saeta Rubia · Nov 15, 2025

Sounds like Konate renewal is imminent.

🚨 Ibrahima Konate: “My future? My agents continue to negotiate with Liverpool. I hope that my decision is made very soon so that I can announce it.” @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/rhUNRdupWR
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 15, 2025

Nathanial Essex · Nov 16, 2025

Dr. MvN said: ↑

And just given the nature of the sport, unless you're at a smaller club (and probably below the Bundesliga) it's really just not necessary. I remember years ago when Kovac was at Frankfurt when I was watching a game and the commentator saying that the most common language in the dressing room was English. This is only even moreso the case at a club of Bayern's level. For all the places he managed at during his career, Bayern was the only place Ancelotti never got comfortable with the local language.

It probably takes having a manager like Steffen Baumgart who don't speak English well for German to be the language of the dressing room. I dunno how many other current Bundesliga managers - Baumgart aside - who don't speak English to some degree. I guess I've never heard Frank Schmidt speak English but I could just not be paying any attention.
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I was in Berlin for a few days for work and I literally didn't come across a single person that didn't speak English. In the office of the business partner I manage, all the presentations were in English and again everyone spoke the language. It was to the extent that if you only spoke German, you couldn't work for the company.

4x4s · Nov 16, 2025

Nathanial Essex said: ↑

I was in Berlin for a few days for work and I literally didn't come across a single person that didn't speak English. In the office of the business partner I manage, all the presentations were in English and again everyone spoke the language. It was to the extent that if you only spoke German, you couldn't work for the company.
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I spent two weeks in Berlin with the lady i was seeing back then (she was from the US), and when we left our place we counted down how many people we would walk across until we would hear somebody that speaks German and it was often around 20 to 25 people.

If you do the same in Munich or Nuernberg for example, chances are you'll have to speak to 25 people until you find somebody that speaks english.

The difference between places within the country is like being in a different country altogether.

natenate101 · Nov 16, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

I spent two weeks in Berlin with the lady i was seeing back then (she was from the US), and when we left our place we counted down how many people we would walk across until we would hear somebody that speaks German and it was often around 20 to 25 people.

If you do the same in Munich or Nuernberg for example, chances are you'll have to speak to 25 people until you find somebody that speaks english.

The difference between places within the country is like being in a different country altogether.
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That’s something I learned from visiting earlier this year. Our soccer buddy from Bremen lead us around and explained how different the areas are. Basically said Munich is like a different world from Hamburg/Dusseldorf and the rest.

Dr. MvN · Nov 17, 2025

natenate101 said: ↑

That’s something I learned from visiting earlier this year. Our soccer buddy from Bremen lead us around and explained how different the areas are. Basically said Munich is like a different world from Hamburg/Dusseldorf and the rest.
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Bavaria in general is quite different from the rest of Germany. This is a common sentiment I've heard/read many times.

4x4s · Nov 17, 2025

Dr. MvN said: ↑

Bavaria in general is quite different from the rest of Germany. This is a common sentiment I've heard/read many times.
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Whoever says "why doesn't Rodrygo sign with Bayern?!?" hasn't spent a winter there freezing his toes off scratching his windshield with the plastic scraper.

I'm sure there's players that would take LESS to play elsewhere.

Seoul Villan · Nov 17, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

Whoever says "why doesn't Rodrygo sign with Bayern?!?" hasn't spent a winter there freezing his toes off scratching his windshield with the plastic scraper.

I'm sure there's players that would take LESS to play elsewhere.
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Funny tangent, I was driving through Bavaria around Christmas and I woke up to the most amazing and beautiful frost covering the trees and houses - it looked just like those old postcards and Disneyesque fantasy cartoons. Never I would have thought it was real.

Yes, it’s very cold and not a place I’d want to live.

libertao · Nov 17, 2025

Seoul Villan said: ↑

Funny tangent, I was driving through Bavaria around Christmas and I woke up to the most amazing and beautiful frost covering the trees and houses - it looked just like those old postcards and Disneyesque fantasy cartoons. Never I would have thought it was real.

Yes, it’s very cold and not a place I’d want to live.
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Christmas in Germany is hard to beat.

Hendrix22 · Nov 17, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

Whoever says "why doesn't Rodrygo sign with Bayern?!?" hasn't spent a winter there freezing his toes off scratching his windshield with the plastic scraper.

I'm sure there's players that would take LESS to play elsewhere.
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I mean these guys are so rich that they basically live in castles and drive around in tanks. Whats the issue, the five steps he needs to make between the sidewalk and the nightclub? Its not like these people are into hiking anyway.

4x4s · Nov 17, 2025

Hendrix22 said: ↑

I mean these guys are so rich that they basically live in castles and drive around in tanks. Whats the issue, the five steps he needs to make between the sidewalk and the nightclub? Its not like these people are into hiking anyway.
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Trust me, this life isnt for everybody. Everything is cold. Every object you touch, the windows, the car is cold when you get in, it's nuts.

It shocks you every year when it hits.

Bear Crotch · Nov 17, 2025

4x4s said: ↑

Trust me, this life isnt for everybody. Everything is cold. Every object you touch, the windows, the car is cold when you get in, it's nuts.

It shocks you every year when it hits.
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I grew up in NE Ohio which has similar climate to far Eastern Europe.

I moved to Arizona and there's just something about the cold that makes different people. Obviously the desert brings it's own incredibly harsh weather, but a harsh winter every year just hardens you in different ways in my experience.

Shay Z · Nov 17, 2025

The colder cities and countries indeed make a huge difference for a lot of people, i would say most people. Especially if you were raised in a temperate country, worse when its tropical with the whole lifestyle that comes along with it and then you go to western Europe. And it's not even the temperature, its the gloominess. The constant frickin rain and cold and wind. It wears you down, day after day even for people who love the rain (me). You go to the hospital early morning while its dark out and leave the hospital at 7 and its dark outside, all the stores are closed or closing. You don't see the sun until Saturday IF its not cloudy and raining. Now do that every day, for months. It affects mental health and after a few years when you are not as young as you were, you think why do i live here. And then you move. It's not about the money, people other than footballers make a lot of money too and live in every comfortable houses with nice cars. No matter how adaptable you are, your mind and body just never FULLY accepts the constant cold and wet weather.

Speaking from personal experience.

Although i have found people for whom its not even a consideration. A close friend of mine is like this, he lived in Texas and when i went to meet him, we were parking outside his house at 7pm and the temp was still 98F and i said man its hot and he said it feels like a warm hug. I was like take me back to the airport asshole, wtf am i hearing.

YOUNGSTARS87 · Nov 17, 2025

libertao said: ↑

Christmas in Germany is hard to beat.
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Meh, year-round in Medellín is hard to beat.