Open Thread: April 24, 2026

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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 night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Kung_Fu_Zizou (AKA KFZ), Juninho, Ezek and, of course… yours truly.

Sounds Down to Earth Alright​

Real Madrid’s favourite options by club and fans (poll):

1. Vitinha: practically impossible
2. Joao Neves: impossible
3. Rodri: debates regarding his physical level
4. Enzo: most possible. @la_SERpic.twitter.com/2mLkG33b2i

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 23, 2026

Well I mean, I can see where they’re coming from, whoever wrote this. Vitinha seems impossible, Neves fairly hard to see happening too. Rodry is indeed no spring chicken at this point and has gone through injuries — and yet I see the fit. I seem to recall Enzo offering himself essentially.

Yeah… No._​

Arsenal are weighing up a move for Arda Güler ahead of the summer window.

The Gunners are keen on a LOAN-TO-BUY structure — mirroring the Martin Ødegaard deal — and have already made initial enquiries.

Real Madrid are NOT actively looking to sell, but his limited game… pic.twitter.com/ZkP3AuPQel

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 23, 2026

And Now We’re Analyzing Instagram Likes​

Given the current state of Real Madrid, it is expected that everything the players say or do will be undergoing examination under the microscope — and that may even be an understatement. Well, apparently, Mbappe liked an instagram (!) post about Jose Mourinho. And … somehow, somebody decided that Arbeloa had to hear that… and… even comment on it…?

️ Arbeloa on Mbappé’s like under a post about Mourinho as Real Madrid manager next season: “I don't care if he likes a post about Mourinho, Julia Roberts or whoever.” pic.twitter.com/5zSpH4BmO5

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 23, 2026

To his credit, Alvaro gave us a nice quote.

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