Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender’s contract negotiations at a standstill due to wage demands
Over the summer, there had been some speculations surrounding the future of Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy.
With Los Blancos signing Antonio Rudiger, it was speculated that David Alaba would be moved to the left-back position, casting doubts on the continuity of Mendy. However, the Frenchman has stayed put at the club and has been a mainstay in the side under Carlo Ancelotti.
Another reason for the rumours to circulate around Mendy’s rumours was that the contract negotiations with Real Madrid had not gone well due to his wage demands.
His current deal with the Merengues runs until 2025 and the club wanted to hand him an extension. However, his salary demands put an end to negotiations as the Spanish capital club deemed them excessive.
Now, a fresh report from Diario AS is claiming that contract negotiations between Mendy and Real Madrid continue to remain at a standstill. Again, his wage demands are cited as the bone of contention in discussions not progressing between the two parties.
It is claimed that it was Real Madrid who put a stop to negotiations and the situation has yet to change.
It could be a reason behind the reigning champions of Spain and Europe pursuing a move for Manchester City star Joao Cancelo in 2023.
Indeed, reports earlier today indicated that Real Madrid want to sign the Portuguese international, who can play at left-back with great effect despite being a natural right-back.
Mendy’s current contract with Real Madrid still has three years left on it. But with the club’s interest in Cancelo surfacing, it remains to be seen if they hold talks over an extension for the Frenchman or decide to move on from him and land the Man City ace.
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
