Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender to make a decision on his future before April – report
When asked why his side failed to capitalise on the right wing in the second half against Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp did not hesitate in naming Nacho Fernandez. The manager admitted that the defender’s substitution into the game took away his men’s freedom down the flank and praised the Spaniard’s influence.
After the game, Nacho was asked about his future at the club by the media, given that he has just five months left on his deal. However, the veteran asked for time and said that he hadn’t made his decision.
According to reports from Jorge C Picon, Nacho’s decision over his future will come soon. The player wishes to end the entire saga before April so as to avoid making a fuss about it.
The veteran Real Madrid defender has not had regular minutes under Carlo Ancelotti. He has become the last-choice defender and only starts in the absence of other options through injury.
Nacho is understandably frustrated at his situation in the club. Several players in the dressing room are also said to be annoyed by the Spaniard’s lack of minutes and feel that he deserves better.
Yet, the 33-year-old has always maintained a professional attitude and performs exceptionally when called upon.
Nacho has only started seven of Real Madrid’s 22 La Liga games this season and has overseen four clean sheets while on the field. Further, he averages over five defensive actions per game.
The youth academy graduate confirmed after the game at Anfield that Real Madrid had offered to extend his contract but called it a difficult and personal decision to take from his end.
After all, Nacho’s near-zero involvement at the beginning of the season was hard on the player, and it is clear that he does not wish to sit on the sidelines.
A decision on his future, thus, will likely be made before April and it will be interesting to see if the seasoned campaigner continues to be a one-club man or seeks a change of scenery.
There is no way back for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid. The Belgian international has not given the management any reason to have faith in his abilities over his past four seasons at the club and is unsurprisingly the most important departure for the Merengues in the summer.
Hazard has one more year on his contract in Madrid. However, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti does not trust him and that any potential replacement manager in the summer will echo his stance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Fenerbahce are willing to go all out to sign Hazard this summer. The Turkish side have made the former Chelsea their prime target, yet face a steep task ahead of them.
The 32-year-old is hellbent on seeing out his contract with Los Blancos despite seeing his career sink right before his eyes. It thus becomes complicated for the party to lure away the forward, especially in a competition outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Fenerbahce attempted to sign the winger in the recently concluded winter transfer market. They reached an agreement with Real Madrid but failed to get over the line as they could not convince the player of the move.
The biggest obstacle for the Turkish side will be convincing Hazard to make the move by letting go of his lucrative contract in Madrid. The chances are slim, but not impossible.
Hazard has made just three league appearances and one start for Ancelotti’s side this season in La Liga, a steep fall from last season’s 18 and seven respectively.
His last appearance for the team came back in January when Real Madrid faced Cacereno in the Copa del Rey. In La Liga however, he last played in September 2022 in a 4-1 win over Mallorca.
