Real Madrid News
La Liga club interested in signing Real Madrid out-of-favour defender – report
Jose Mourinho has come to Real Madrid with the outlook of a man who wants to revamp the squad’s entire defensive set-up.
This has been visible in the kind of players Los Blancos have signed so far, most of whom have been defenders, with the exception of Bernardo Silva.
Making so many signings in one area of the field, though, is likely to also necessitate sales, and Real Madrid may have an important decision to make on Fran Garcia this summer.
According to AS, Real Betis view Fran Garcia as one of the names they like for their left side, although no definitive move has been made at this stage.
A crowded left-back picture at Madrid
The situation is easy to understand from a Real Madrid perspective. Marc Cucurella is arriving from Chelsea, while Alvaro Carreras is also expected to continue, leaving Fran with a much tougher route to regular football.
That does not mean Real Madrid should treat him as expendable at any price. Garcia is 26, has experience at the highest level and still offers energy, speed and natural width from the left.
Even if he has not always found consistency, that has also been shaped by strong competition and limited rhythm.
Real Betis are looking for a more reliable solution after struggling to fully settle the position since Alex Moreno left.
Ricardo Rodriguez is out of contract, while Junior Firpo’s return did not meet expectations. In that context, Garcia makes sense for them.
Why Real Madrid hold the stronger hand
This is exactly why Real Madrid should be firm. Betis are not looking at a luxury signing, they are looking at a player who could become important in Manuel Pellegrini’s plans.
If Fran leaves, the club should make sure the fee reflects his age, La Liga experience and usefulness to another ambitious side.
There is also a sporting point. A squad as demanding as Real Madrid’s needs depth, and the club should only move Fran on if the left-back plan is genuinely secure.
Injuries, dips in form and fixture congestion can quickly make a backup look valuable again.
A sensible exit, but only on Real Madrid’s terms
For Garcia, Betis could offer something Real Madrid perhaps cannot promise right now: a central role and regular minutes. That matters for a player entering an important stage of his career.
His time at the Spanish capital club has mostly been marked by criticism, and even the few good performances here and there tend to be forgotten in the larger picture.
Cucurella’s arrival means the senior Spaniard is likely to nail down that spot on the left flank, and minutes could be hard to come by for Fran.
Amid Betis’ interest, Real Madrid are right to be considering a sale, but it remains to be seen whether they hold out to get good value from it.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ready to reward 21-year-old star with new contract and big salary increase
Real Madrid are preparing to reward Arda Guler for his rapid rise by extending his contract and significantly improving his salary, according to AS.
It must be remembered that the Turkish midfielder’s standing at the Santiago Bernabeu has changed considerably since he arrived as an 18-year-old.
Initially, adapting to the demands of Real Madrid proved difficult, with regular opportunities hard to find. His situation, however, is now very different.
Real Madrid want the player’s contract to reflect that change and are working towards an agreement that would keep Guler tied to the club until 2031.
Guler set for major contract upgrade
Guler originally signed a deal running until 2029 when he signed from Fenerbahce.
Real Madrid now want to add another two years while simultaneously giving him a substantial salary increase.
The intention is not only to protect the club’s investment in one of Europe’s most exciting young players, but also to formally recognise the importance Guler has developed within the first-team setup.
According to the report, the new agreement is already complete and is set to take effect from the beginning of the current season.
The improved terms are therefore designed to match Guler’s growing contribution rather than his status when he first arrived in Spain.
Mourinho sees Guler differently
Jose Mourinho’s arrival has also helped clarify where Guler fits into Real Madrid’s plans.
The Portuguese manager views him primarily as an attacking midfielder, rather than a central midfielder.
Mourinho’s vision is particularly important for Guler because central roles are more commonly occupied by players such as Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Hence, Mourinho’s assessment appears to give Guler a more defined role in the team, allowing his attacking qualities to become a greater part of his responsibilities.
As such, the proposed extension is effectively a recognition that Guler is no longer the same prospect who walked through the Bernabeu doors two years ago.
Real Madrid initially had to be patient with his development, but the club now appears determined to make his long-term future a priority.
