Real Madrid News
Ancelotti wants former Real Madrid academy ace, can be signed for €5 million
According to the latest reports from MARCA, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wants the club to re-sign former academy prospect Fran Garcia in the summer of 2023.
The 23-year-old left-back rose through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and went on to make over 50 appearances for the Castilla outfit. He featured once for the Merengues’ senior team, in a Copa del Rey clash in December 2018, even registering an assist.
However, Garcia left Real Madrid to sign for Rayo Vallecano in 2020. Having initially joined on loan, the young defender’s move was made permanent a year later. And he has thrived at his new club, becoming one of the most reliable left-backs in La Liga.
In 97 appearances so far for Rayo, Garcia has three goals and eight assists. He has been particularly impressive in the ongoing campaign, which has compelled Real Madrid to consider re-signing him.
The report indicates that the possibility of bringing Garcia back to the Santiago Bernabeu is gaining more and more weight by the day with Ancelotti himself said to be keen on bringing the player back to his boyhood club.
As things stand, Real Madrid have Ferland Mendy as their first-choice left-back, with David Alaba and Nacho as backup. However, Alaba prefers to play as a centre-half while Nacho’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Furthermore, there is some uncertainty surrounding Mendy’s future as well, even though Ancelotti completely trusts the Frenchman, who also has the backing of the team, including compatriot Karim Benzema.
But given the situation with regard to the backup in the position as well as doubts regarding his own future, due to a lack of a new contract, Real Madrid want to strengthen the left-back area.
While they are also keeping tabs on another ex-academy graduate in Miguel Gutierrez, Fran Garcia’s signing is being favoured by the Real Madrid coaching staff, who believe the 23-year-old fits the profile of what the club are seeking.
What makes Garcia an even more attracting prospect is that Real Madrid can sign him for just €5 million in the summer. The 23-year-old has a release clause of €10 million in his contract, which Rayo tried to increase by offering him a new deal. But the negotiations did not pan out.
It meant that the €10 million release clause remained intact. And with Real Madrid still owning 50% rights of the player, they can get him for half that value, i.e., €5 million.
Several clubs from Spain and around Europe are keeping tabs on Garcia. But he has spoken of his desire to return to Real Madrid in the past. It may very well materialise come summer of 2023.
As we approach the final phase of the 2022/23 campaign, Real Madrid are facing immense pressure to renew the contracts of two of their veterans Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
According to a recent report from Josep Pedrerol, Real Madrid have been made aware that Saudi Arabian clubs have contacted the two, with the aim of bringing them to the Middle East to enhance their league.
Modric has been facing an uncertain future with his contract expiring at the end of the season. While he is in talks with Madrid over a renewal, the midfielder has also been approached by Saudi Arabian clubs, as they look to enhance the league by roping in stars from Europe.
Al Nassr notably made headlines earlier in the year by bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. Since then, Saudi clubs have been linked with moves for players like Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard and even Lionel Messi.
Modric, too, is considered one of the top targets for Saudi clubs. Although the midfielder has expressed his desire to continue at the Bernabeu for at least another year, a deal with Real Madrid has not materialised. This has opened up a window of opportunity for Saudi clubs to make their move.
Meanwhile, Karim Benzema was reported to be close to finalising a renewal recently, but an agreement is yet to be reached. The Frenchman has had his share of struggles with injuries and fitness this season, which has led to questions about his longevity and future at Real Madrid.
While the links to a move to Saudi Arabia have not been as prominent for Benzema, it is expected that the Saudi clubs may jump on any opportunity to lure the striker to the Middle East.
Real Madrid are aware of the situation and are working to secure the futures of their star players. However, with the prospect of lucrative contracts being offered by the Saudi Arabian clubs, the players themselves may be tempted to make the move.
