Real Madrid News
Florentino Perez set to take final decision on veteran Real Madrid midfielder’s extension
According to Fabrizio Romano on CBS Sports, Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric wants to stay at the club and renew his contract for one more season. However, the final decision will likely rest in the hands of president Florentino Perez.
Modric has been at Real Madrid for over a decade now and has etched his name in the history of the club. The 37-year-old midfielder has been critical to the success that the Merengues have achieved during this time – three La Liga titles, five UEFA Champions League trophies and much more.
Modric’s current contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the ongoing season. The 37-year-old has been linked with a move away to Saudi Arabia, with talks of a potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr being rife.
However, Modric clarified in a press conference last week that he had no intention of leaving Real Madrid, as he said:
“My wish is known, to stay at Real Madrid. I believe and hope it will happen. The rest are only assumptions and rumours. I repeat for the 100th time, I hope and believe I will stay at Real Madrid.”
Reaffirming those claims, Romano is now reporting that Modric, indeed, wants to stay at Real Madrid for one more year and is hoping to sign a new contract. But, the final call will be made by president Florentino Perez.
The Real Madrid supremo has some big decisions to make as Modric is not the only midfielder whose contract expires this summer.
Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos are also in the same boat as the Croatian international and given that the Merengues are pushing hard to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, it would be unlikely that all three of Kroos, Modric, and Ceballos will remain at the club if the Englishman arrives.
One of the main objectives for Real Madrid this summer was to bring in a new central midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and dictating the play from the middle.
A move for Rodri was in the works before the Spain captain decided to sign for FC Barcelona. The Merengues assessed several other options, but ended up not signing any player, with Jose Mourinho deciding to use Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.
One of the midfielders that Real Madrid were looking at as an option was Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
The England international has been on the club’s radar for a while now, but the Premier League club never opened the door for a summer departure.
Wharton could be on the market in 2027
However, now, according to The Guardian (h/t Bernabeu Digital), That stance could change next year, as that Palace would be prepared to consider selling Wharton during the next summer transfer window.
As mentioned already, Real Madrid have closely followed Wharton’s situation throughout the summer, although the club ultimately decided against making any further additions to their midfield.
Manchester City and Chelsea also showed serious interest in signing the England international during the summer. However, Crystal Palace were unwilling to sell, effectively ruling out a move for the midfielder.
But it appears that they could open the doors for Wharton to leave in the summer of 2027, potentially paving the way for Real Madrid to make a move.
Real Madrid continue to monitor Wharton
Real Madrid are expected to keep a close eye on Wharton’s progress ahead of the 2027 market. Should they decide they need another high-quality midfielder, the 22-year-old could once again emerge as a candidate.
Manchester City may be less likely to return for Wharton after strengthening their midfield significantly this summer.
Chelsea, however, could remain a potential competitor after failing to add a player in the position during the latest window.
For now, Wharton will remain at Crystal Palace, but the club’s willingness to consider a sale next summer means the midfielder could become a realistic option for Real Madrid in 2027.
