Real Madrid block AC Milan from signing another key player

According to journalist Matteo Moretto (h/t @MadridXtra), Real Madrid will not entertain any offers for left-back Fran García amid interest from Serie A giants AC Milan.

New head coach Xabi Alonso was impressed with the former Rayo Vallecano man’s performances at the FIFA Club World Cup and has blocked his exit. On the other hand, Madrid share the view of their manager, as they believe they can no longer rely on the injury-riddled Ferland Mendy.

Madrid will be starting the 2025-26 campaign with two fit full-backs in García and new acquisition Álvaro Carreras, who was signed for €50 million from Benfica.

Reports from Spain have strongly indicated that the 22-year-old will be handed the keys to the left-back position under Alonso, with García serving as his understudy.

Milan have been looking for reinforcements in the market and have identified the 25-year-old Spaniard as the ideal replacement to Theo Hernández, who left Europe to join Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al-Hilal in a deal worth €25 million.

Fully committed to Real Madrid

However, Real Madrid’s No. 20 is fully committed to staying in the Spanish capital and competing for a spot in the starting XI. He believes his standout performances at the Club World Cup have already earned him some credit in Alonso’s eyes.

What’s more, García is fully committed to respecting his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu, having signed a four-year deal until 2027 when he was bought from neighbours Rayo Vallecano.

This is in contrast to earlier reports from outlets such as Calciomercato, who stated that García was open to a departure if he could earn a bigger role, preferably as a starter, elsewhere.

All dust around these rumours seems to have settled, though, as the Spanish full-back looks increasingly likely to stay and compete with Carreras for a spot in Alonso’s XI.

This news comes as a major blow to Mendy’s hopes of reinstating himself as a starter under the new boss.

During ex-manager Carlo Ancelotti’s four-year tenure with the ‘Kings of Europe’, the Frenchman was the undisputed first-choice left-back whenever fit, with midfielder Eduardo Camavinga filling in in a makeshift role on occasion.

However, the presence of two natural left-backs in the squad, along with the fact that his latest injury relapse will keep him on the sidelines at least until November, has subsequently relegated Mendy to third-choice in the pecking order.

Madrid, as such, are keen on offloading the former Lyon defender.

They would ideally like to get some proposals for the player this summer, but it remains to be seen if any potential suitors table a bid before the deadline day, considering Mendy has already turned 30 and will not regain fitness until a few months into the new campaign.