Real Madrid News
Ancelotti and his staff ‘happy’ with exit-linked Real Madrid winger – report
Marco Asensio is staring at an uncertain future at Real Madrid as his current contract with the club stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
While it had seemed certain at one point that he would leave as a free agent next summer, the Spanish winger put in some remarkable performances prior to the World Cup break. It prompted speculations that Los Blancos were considering offering him a new deal.
Asensio also had a decent showing at the FIFA World Cup with Spain, playing as a false-nine. Now back at the club and preparing for the restart of the season, the 26-year-old is unclear about what his future holds.
Several clubs, including arch-rivals Barcelona, are keeping tabs on Asensio’s contract situation at Real Madrid.
But, according to Edu Aguirre on El Chiringuito TV, manager Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff are very happy with Asensio. They have noticed a change in his approach in training sessions and are pleased with what they are seeing.
Asensio, thus far, has featured in 15 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid this season. He has contributed with three goals and three assists in the process, showing that he can contribute if given an opportunity.
With Eden Hazard expected to leave in the summer, the Merengues could be better served by holding onto Asensio as they would not want to deplete their attacking resources.
The Spaniard, who will be turning 27 next month, is in his prime years and can be an important player at the Santiago Bernabeu for a few more years.
With Ancelotti and the staff said to be happy with Asensio, whether it leads to a new contract offer for the winger will be interesting to see.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
