Real Madrid News
Real Madrid 17-year-old prospect will have a first-team spot once he returns from injury
After losing Thibaut Courtois to a pre-season ACL injury last season, Real Madrid saw young Joan Martinez face a similar blow this time around.
Just 17 years of age and at the doorstep of a regular spot in the first team, it came as a massive blow for the youngster as he was forced to go under the blade earlier this year.
Real Madrid, however, have been very supportive of Martinez through his rough patch and have been in constant contact with his agent over a possible renewal as well.
Martinez will return to the elite
The young centre-back impressed in Real Madrid’s pre-season tour to the United States earlier this year, playing 45 minutes against AC Milan and over half an hour against Barcelona as well.
His performances made him a strong candidate to serve as Carlo Ancelotti’s fourth-choice centre-back for the season, especially given the dire shortage of resources in the department.
The knee injury, however, leaves the player out of action until March at least. As revealed in a recent update from MARCA, the teenager is expected to win back his place in the first team once he returns from his injury.
To convey their faith in him, Real Madrid have progressed far over a contract renewal with Martinez and have reportedly even reached an agreement in principle.
The new deal will seal the youngster’s presence at the club for the long term with a massive €50 million release clause. Needless to say, the club and player will have to sit down and formally sign another agreement once he turns 18 next year.
Only Martinez’ final signature remains before the new deal is finalised and its completion is thus expected in the coming days.
Now, on top of that, it is being suggested that Martinez will have a first-team spot waiting for him when he returns from injury, showing the faith that Real Madrid have in the 17-year-old.
Having undergone surgery recently, Martinez is looking at a lengthy layoff, with the report suggesting that a potential comeback could take place sometime in April.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
