Real Madrid has lost patience. Ferland Mendy, injured again, has ceased to be a guarantee for the left-back position. His physique, far from being an ally, has become a constant problem, and in a team like Madrid, there is no room for players who are not available.
Ancelotti has always valued his tactical discipline, but not even that saves him now. In the offices of Bernabéu, they are clear: a replacement is needed. Someone who not only fulfills the role but takes over the flank with authority.
Davies moves away from Real Madrid
For months, Alphonso Davies was the main target, young, fast, offensive, and experienced in big nights. The Bayern full-back was the ideal profile for Madrid's future. The operation was on track until it wasn't anymore.
The Canadian decided to renew with the Bavarian club. An unexpected turn that left Florentino Pérez with a problem on the table. Without Davies, the roadmap had to be rewritten and quickly.
The priority remained the same: to find a top left-back. But the market didn't offer many options at that level. Or at least, it seemed that way.
Nuno Mendes emerges
With Davies off the map, the name of Nuno Mendes returned to the scene. He had been in the reports for some time, but now he takes center stage. The young PSG full-back meets all the requirements demanded by the white club.
He is only 22 years old but plays with the maturity of a veteran. He has established himself in Ligue 1, excelled in the Champions League, and is a starter with the Portuguese national team. Mendes is not a promise; he is the present.
His physical power and game reading fit perfectly with the style Ancelotti wants. And moreover, he is a natural left-footer, something that is scarce in the current squad.
Florentino steps in
Seducing PSG won't be an easy task. Mendes renewed until 2030, and his price exceeds 70 million euros. But if anyone can make that operation happen, it's Florentino Pérez.
The president of Real Madrid has been involved in more than one showdown with the Parisian club. He doesn't hesitate to go after what he wants. He knows that signing Mendes would be a masterstroke, not only for sports but also strategically.
Moreover, Mendes represents what Florentino seeks: youth, projection, competitive character. He would fit into the same group as Vinicius, Bellingham, Camavinga, or Tchouaméni.
The plan is underway. Madrid moves in silence but with determination. Mendes, although still a PSG player, already has an eye on Bernabéu.