The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a movie Marathon with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.
Hope is Back
Apparently, AS confirms what we all first thought after seeing Kylian scoring 6 minutes on in our previous friendly: he looks to have already hit the ground running.
🚨 BREAKING: At Real Madrid, they say a NEW Kylian Mbappé has returned from the summer vacations.
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 17, 2026
Mbappé has arrived in a great physical state, which is described as SENSATIONAL in Valdebebas.
Kylian is hungry to win this season. @diarioaspic.twitter.com/KWhXXJc9qm
Hmm.. Who?
🚨 CONFIRMED: Sergio Martínez (19, midfielder) is a potential long-term target for Real Madrid.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 18, 2026
The club like the player, but are reluctant to pay his €3M release clause, so they are exploring other ways.
If he joins, the plan is for him to start at Castilla. @MarioCorteganapic.twitter.com/WVapUfjdCg
Still the Same Stuff
🚨💣 @jpedrerol: “Real Madrid could sign another player this summer.
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 17, 2026
It is a MIDFIELDER.” pic.twitter.com/g796z4JY4U
Hopefully, the Fax Machine is Working
🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid’s message about new signings:
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 18, 2026
“Someone has to LEAVE for new signings to be made.”@MarioCorteganapic.twitter.com/BC3a5McNvD