Joselu has opted against extending his stay at Real Madrid for the upcoming season, a decision influenced by the imminent arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. Despite the club's readiness to activate his purchase option, Joselu faces a significant risk of diminished playing opportunities.
WHAT OCCURED?
According to COPE, Joselu is seeking a change of scenery, despite the club being willing to pay the €1.5 million (£1.3m/$1.6m) option to make his loan from Espanyol into a permanent transfer. The reason being is the imminent arrivals in Madrid of Mbappe and Endrick. Joselu is expected to head to Qatari side Al Gharafa, according to Fabrizio Romano.
BIGGER PICTURE
Joselu, who originally emerged from Real Madrid's youth academy, made a return to the club last summer on loan following standout performances in La Liga with Alaves and Espanyol. Acting as the primary replacement for Karim Benzema, Joselu played a pivotal role despite Real Madrid's lack of a designated central striker, contributing significantly to their rare La Liga and Champions League double triumph. His crucial brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final exemplified his impact, ensuring Real Madrid progressed against the odds.
Throughout the season, Joselu showcased his prowess with 18 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions. However, with the imminent arrivals of Mbappe and Endrick bolstering the club's attacking options, Joselu's future at the Bernabeu appears uncertain. If he were to remain, it's likely that his playing time would be significantly curtailed.
During his initial stint at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2012, Joselu showcased his scoring prowess in his sole two first-team outings. His goals came against Almeria in a La Liga match and Ponferradina in a Copa del Rey fixture.
WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR REAL MADRID
In the 2023-24 season, Carlo Ancelotti masterminded a highly effective 4-3-1-2 tactical setup, deploying Jude Bellingham as the playmaker behind central strikers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Now, the challenge lies in optimizing this trio while integrating Kylian Mbappe and Endrick into the mix effectively. Ancelotti's strategy hinges on maintaining cohesion while accommodating the dynamic strengths of all these attacking talents.
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