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Real Madrid transfer news: Champions League hero 'makes decision' on future

Decision made? Real Madrid Champions League hero 'chooses' next move
© Reuters
Real Madrid forward Joselu makes a decision on the next phase of his career having impressed at the Bernabeu last season.

Real Madrid loanee Joselu has reached a decision over the next phase of his career.

With parent club Espanyol having been relegated, the veteran was provided with the opportunity to rejoin Real 11 years after his departure.

At the time, the transfer divided opinion, yet it proved to be one of Real's best pieces of business in recent times.

Joselu scored 18 goals from 49 appearances in all competitions, including a famous double during the closing stages of the Champions League semi-final second leg versus Bayern Munich.

Courtesy of those two goals keeping him in Real folklore forever, the perception has been that Real will activate their low-price buy option and retain the 34-year-old's services.

Real Madrid's Joselu celebrates scoring their second goal on May 8, 2024© Reuters

Joselu to leave Real for Middle East

Instead, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Joselu has made the decision to link up with Qatari side Al Gharafa.

Joselu has seemingly been presented with a lucrative offer to move to that part of the world, with the deal said to be in its final stages.

Romano adds that head coach Carlo Ancelotti had been eager to retain the experience of Joselu, but he has opted to join a team that finished in third position in the Qatar Stars League for 2023-24.

Real did have the option to sign Joselu for €1.5m and any transfer fee paid by Al Gharafa is realistically expected to be around that figure.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match on March 5, 2024© Reuters

Are Real likely to replace Joselu?

Whether Real opt to try to find an alternative for Joselu is far from certain given that Kylian Mbappe and Endrick have each come through the door.

That effectively ensured that Joselu had become fifth-choice attacker under Ancelotti, yet his physicality brought something different to the attack.

In a league like La Liga, Real can probably get by without a so-called target men, but there is no doubting that Los Blancos would have been in better shape with Joselu at the club.

Another experienced head in Nacho is also departing the Bernabeu this summer having chosen to move to the Saudi Pro League.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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