Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti ‘does not mind’ if 25-year-old defender continues at Real Madrid
The summer transfer window is quickly approaching its closing days, but Real Madrid are yet to take a firm stance on the situation of several players.
The Spanish club have been on the fence for most of their players, neither pushing for their departure nor committing to their extension. One such player is Jesus Vallejo.
According to reports from Diario AS, Carlo Ancelotti is happy with the player’s recent performances. While the door to his exit remains open, the coach is not opposed to the Spaniard’s continuity either.
The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a departure ahead of the transfer window. However, his strong performances in the preseason have made a lasting impression on the manager, who now sees Vallejo as a valuable option.
In the USA leg of the preseason, the defender played 84 minutes over three games and even recorded one assist in the game against Juventus.
The centre-back will face heavy competition to start if he opts to stay. At the moment, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, and David Alaba are all ahead of Vallejo in the pecking order.
There are rumours of Ancelotti planning to use the Spaniard at left-back for the upcoming season, and it was confirmed when the manager opted to try it against the Bianconeri.
Given that Ferland Mendy is the only direct option to cover the left-back position, this solution could help Vallejo get more minutes under his belt. Yet, the outcome will depend on where Alaba’s future lies- central defence or left-back.
Last season, Vallejo only made five league appearances for Los Blancos and oversaw two clean sheets.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
