Real Madrid News
Exit-linked Real Madrid midfielder now close to renewing contract for three years
It is no secret that Real Madrid want Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and Nacho Fernandez to stay. The trio may not be starters under Carlo Ancelotti, but a team is far more than the eleven players fielded on the pitch.
All three players have been crucial for Los Blancos over the past year in their own right. The club’s focus earlier this week, thus, was to try and turn around their situations and coerce them to stay.
According to reports from Jose Felix Diaz, the Merengues’ mission has borne partial fruit. The futures of Nacho and Asensio still remain unclear and far away from Santiago Bernabeu. However, there is good news surrounding the midfielder.
According to the Spanish journalist, Ceballos is now close to renewing his contract. He has changed his stance after a recent meeting with Real Madrid and a new offer from the club.
The Copa del Rey champions’ latest proposal to Ceballos includes a three-year extension that will see him at the club until the age of 29, at least.
Yet, it was not only the improved terms but also the confidence transmitted in the player by the management that pioneered the turn of the tables.
Ceballos has been relatively regularly involved in Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign this season, participating in 29 of the team’s 37 games so far. In that duration, he has provided four assists, created one big chance, and averaged one key pass per game.
The 26-year-old will undoubtedly find it difficult to start next season, perhaps even more than the current campaign given Jude Bellingham’s impending transfer. Yet, it is Ceballos’ selfless and professional attitude that the club value, and he will have regular minutes off the bench should he opt to sign the renewal.
Real Madrid have identified the midfield department as a key area of the squad that needs strengthening next year.
Having failed to sign Rodri this past summer, the Merengues understand that a major signing is necessary in the position.
Several names have already been linked as potential targets for the Spanish capital club, one of whom happens to be AFC Bournemouth rising star Alex Scott.
Indeed, Real Madrid have scouted the England international this season and are continuing to closely monitor his development in the Premier League.
However, competition for the 23-year-old midfielder’s services is already heating up.
AC Milan eye Alex Scott
Indeed, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t AS), Italian giants AC Milan have set their sights on Scott to replace Real Madrid legend Luka Modric next season.
Modric, at 41, is entering the final phase of his career and his contract with the Rossoneri stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
As such, the Serie A heavyweights will need to rope in a replacement and have seemingly identified Scott, who is also on Real Madrid’s radar, as an option.
Apart from AC Milan, even Chelsea and Liverpool have also shown interest in the 23-year-old England star, and might even be willing to make a move for him in January.
This complicates the situation for Real Madrid, who would ideally wait until the summer of 2027 to reinforce their midfield unit.
€50 million for Scott?
Furthermore, the report states that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around €50 million, a fee that could be an issue for AC Milan.
That figure, however, should not pose a challenge for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the increasing competition for the 23-year-old’s services could drive up the price further, making things complicated.
For now, though, Real Madrid’s interest in Scott has been limited to scouting and monitoring his progress and compiling reports on him.
Whether it translates into a formal approach and offer in the summer or in January itself remains to be seen.
