The derby is here: two points between you and Atlético
Real Madrid go to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday to face Atlético Madrid in LaLiga. Two points separate the sides (1) (2). Vinicius Júnior and Fernando Torres are already heating it up (1). You sit second on 15 points from six games, with a +11 goal difference. It could shuffle the top of the table.
You go in off a 3–2 win at Elche on Tuesday, your fourth win in five. The one blip was the 1–0 loss at Real Betis on September 4. Since then: Inter 2–1, Rayo Vallecano 4–1, Elche 3–2. Three wins on the bounce going into the derby.
Mbappé would take Ronaldo back
Mbappé says he would not mind lining up next to Cristiano Ronaldo (3). Asked about a Ronaldo return to Real Madrid, the admitted admirer of the Portuguese said he would happily share a pitch with one of the club's legends (3). That is Mbappé's take. Nothing more than that for now.
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Branthwaite is a name on your list
Real Madrid are weighing up a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite (4). He has been a long-standing target, and the club keep getting linked with defensive reinforcements.
Arsenal in the way of a midfield target
Arsenal are complicating your plans for one of your main midfield targets (5). One of your priority names for the middle of the park is not locked up, and a rival is moving on him.
JJ Gabriel, 15, is one to watch
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has reportedly landed in Barcelona with his United future in doubt, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested (4). He is 15.
Fan reactions
The sub can't agree on much right now, and that's the mood. One thread asks outright who the fanbase actually hates more, Mbappé or Vini, after weeks of flip-flopping on both. Underneath it sits the same argument in a different wrapper: whether Mbappé can play left wing at all, or whether that spot belongs to Vini with Espi starting elsewhere. Plenty are still watching the chance-creation numbers instead of the noise, and the left-wing debate is where it gets loudest.
