Real Madrid News
Bayern Munich not interested in signing soon-to-be-free Real Madrid midfielder
On Monday, reports of Bayern Munich’s interest in Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos took the media by storm. The player’s recent upsurge in form coupled with his contractual situation was seemingly gaining interest from Europe, seeding doubt over his continuity at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the latest update on the former Real Betis player’s future, SPORT1 has come out to deny Bayern Munich’s interest in Ceballos.
This takes away potentially the biggest option on the midfielder’s table if he is to opt against continuing at the club. Nevertheless, it has been reported that regardless of interest in him from other clubs, Ceballos was completely focused on Real Madrid and sees a renewal as his only option.
The 26-year-old will be a free agent in June, forcing the club to decide on his extension soon. The Merengues are not opposed to the possibility given his recent form, maintain that the player could become the fifth or sixth-choice midfielder next term. Further, a renewal would not improve his wage status in any way.
For Ceballos now, the dilemma is between playing time and a place in Real Madrid. If it is guaranteed the playing time he desires, the midfielder’s departure in the summer could be inevitable.
The 26-year-old has played a part in all of Real Madrid’s last 12 games, scoring one goal and providing four assists. He averages 1.2 key passes per game in La Liga and has become a regular starter in recent weeks.
With Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni absent, Ceballos has a good chance to start against Liverpool tonight in the UEFA Champions League. The question, however, is whether Carlo Ancelotti chooses to use an extra midfielder or an extra winger in the newly opened void.
Marco Asensio is fighting for his future at Real Madrid. The 27-year-old winger is out of contract at the end of the season and there is no concrete decision made by the club over his renewal as of yet.
Some reports had suggested that the club had tabled an offer worth €4 million per year, which the Spaniard did not like as he sought a higher pay packet closer to around €6 million-a-year.
With his future a subject of intense speculation, Asensio had been linked with a move away to Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, closer to home, there were strong links to Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona. Indeed, the Catalans have been touted as potential suitors for Asensio for quite some time now due to the fact that he is represented by Jorge Mendes.
The superagent has close ties with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and reports in Spain have suggested that the Real Madrid winger has, indeed, been offered to the current La Liga leaders.
Amidst these speculations, however, Asensio has seemingly made it clear as to where his heart lies as he awaits a decision on his future.
During last night’s El Clasico against Barcelona, the Real Madrid winger came on as a substitute and went on to score a goal, following which he celebrated at Camp Nou, pointing to the Real Madrid logo on his shirt, showing where his allegiances lie.
The goal, however, was disallowed by the VAR, and Los Blancos ended up losing the game 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time winner by Franck Kessie.
Earlier today, Asensio took to Instagram and posted a picture of him celebrating with his finger pointing to the Real Madrid logo, reiterating his commitment to the club amidst the links to Barcelona.
As for his disallowed goal, it sparked an angry reaction from Carlo Ancelotti, who questioned the legitimacy of the decision made by the VAR during his post-match press conference.
