Real Madrid News
Real Madrid certain about wanting to renew forward, but player wants key role
With less than six months left on his contract at Real Madrid, Marco Asensio is staring at an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The winger, who is celebrating his 27th birthday today, has been at the club since 2015, when he arrived from RCD Mallorca. But there is no certainty that he will remain at the club beyond the ongoing campaign, as his contract edges closer to expiry.
Real Madrid negotiated a new deal with the winger last summer, but the downward renewal offered did not please the winger. When he changed his agent to Jorge Mendes, it was widely expected that he would leave the club, but with no offers forthcoming, he stayed put.
Having seen his game-time severely regulated in the early parts of the season, Asensio slowly gained some semblance of importance in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Now with less than six months left on his deal, AS (h/t Madrid Xtra) is reporting that Real Madrid are certain about wanting to offer him a new deal, while the player himself is keen on staying put at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Things are being discussed, we’ll see where it goes. I’m focused on myself and the next game. Hopefully, everything will come to fruition,” Asensio had said after the midweek game against Villarreal.
“I want to renew and stay at Madrid for a long time, but it’s not something that depends only on me. For me, the most important thing is sporting matters and being happy.”
However, the sticking point in negotiations could be that Asensio is seeking a key role in the team, which cannot be guaranteed at this point.
After all, the Spanish international is currently behind Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and even Federico Valverde when it comes to the pecking order on the flanks.
Furthermore, Real Madrid plan to bring back Brahim Diaz next season and see him as a viable option for the right wing, which could further impact Asensio’s role.
It remains to be seen how the negotiations between the 27-year-old and the club progress in the coming weeks and months as they look to come to an agreement over a new deal.
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane’s signing could complicate Real Madrid’s plan to sign Erling Haaland in 2024
Those sitting in the Real Madrid offices are aware that the team needs an emergency number 9. In this context, manager Carlo Ancelotti has already affirmed that they are working on some targets, although he decided not to reveal any names.
Now, what makes this operation trickier is that Madrid already have Erling Haaland on their agenda. The Manchester City forward is billed for the summer of 2024, meaning that any signing Madrid make this year will be extremely short-term.
A couple of days back, we reported that Ancelotti has made the signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane his priority. The manager is of the idea that the England international will be the ideal candidate to provide competition to Benzema, whose physical fitness is now deteriorating.
As far as Kane is concerned, the Tottenham forward is rightly expected to leave and fellow Premier League side Manchester United happen to be interested in his acquisition as well.
It is not really difficult for Madrid to sign Kane, but the fact that Madrid already have Haaland in their plans is a problem, reports AS. At 29 years of age, Kane is not someone who would step down from his starting role when Haaland arrives.
Add to it the continuity of Benzema is yet another issue. All this means there is a high possibility that if Kane arrives, the team will overbook the number 9 position.
At the moment, there is a parade of names that Madrid are following, namely, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but nothing is certain at the moment.
What Madrid need is a short-term option, someone who is either willing to settle for a secondary role, even when Benzema leave/retires or is ready to come on a season-long loan to cover the position until Madrid sign Haaland in 2024. Either way, Harry Kane does not fit the bill.
