Real Madrid back Arbeloa as Mbappe set to miss Levante
Mbappe set to miss Levante with discomfort after early Supercopa return. Arbeloa must respond after Albacete KO as 19th-placed visitors come to the Bernabeu.
Arbeloa to recall Courtois, Bellingham, Tchouameni, Rodrygo and Vinicius; Carvajal may start. Militao, Mendy, Alexander-Arnold out; Rudiger a doubt; Mbappe decision pending.
Madrid back Arbeloa despite Super Cup loss and Albacete shock; no January signings planned. Perez wants response in La Liga and Champions League; Levante next amid expected boos.
Report says Dani Ceballos is out of Arbeloa’s plans after Albacete tie; academy trio preferred. He trailed Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; received an early reprimand.
Madrid keep tabs on Leverkusen’s 19-year-old Christian Kofane (5G, 5A in 1,015 mins). Castilla move once planned; fee now reportedly 50m+ after Alonso departure context.
Madrid and Barcelona monitor Ajax’s Rayane Bounida, 19, creative midfielder under contract to 2028; 13 games, 1 goal, 5 assists. El Clasico transfer battle brewing.
Sky’s Plettenberg says Klopp is open to Madrid in summer amid Alonso sacking and Arbeloa interim. Bernabeu bench uncertainty grows after Albacete exit.
