Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward prioritising contract renewal amid interest from England, Italy – Romano
As we enter the final few weeks of the 2022/23 campaign, Real Madrid are ramping up efforts to tie down players whose contracts expire next month to new deals.
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema are all set to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for one more season while Nacho Fernandez seems to be leaning that way as well.
Mariano Diaz, on the other hand, will leave as a free agent, while Dani Ceballos could also be on his way out despite having been presented with an offer.
As for Marco Asensio, Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Spanish winger is prioritising a contract renewal at Real Madrid even though he has interest from clubs in England and Italy.
Asensio has had a topsy-turvy season at the Bernabeu this time out. The winger had become an afterthought in the early parts of the campaign but has forced his way back into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans by making valuable contributions.
Across all competitions, Asensio has been directly involved in 20 goals (12G, 10A), showing that he remains a quality option to have in the ranks.
And, talks over a renewal are ongoing with Real Madrid. The European champions are said to have sent in a second contract offer after the first one did not satisfy the forward. And it is said that there is optimism about his extension.
Romano also is reporting that Asensio is hopeful of continuing at the Spanish capital club despite interest from the Premier League and Serie A. And while an agreement is yet to be reached, negotiations over a new deal are progressing.
Asensio has been at Real Madrid since 2015, when he joined from RCD Mallorca. At 27, he is in his peak years and it would bode well for the Merengues to tie him down to a new contract.
Speaking to the media, Brazil Football Confederations (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has claimed that the Selecao have not given up on their pursuit of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, despite the Italian stating that he will not leave the club.
Brazil have been without a manager since the World Cup in Qatar last year, following which Tite stepped down. The CBF have made Ancelotti their top target and have been pursuing his signing for months but to no avail.
The 63-year-old Italian tactician has, on more than one occasion, made it clear that he will be at Real Madrid next season, with his contract expiring in 2024.
However, CBF president Rodrigues is adamant that Ancelotti’s statements are due to him being cautious as he is under contract at Real Madrid and that the Selecao are not prepared to give up on their quest to appoint him as of yet.
“We made a plan, that ‘Plan A’ is the one you know, Ancelotti, and as they say in the ‘ring’ (boxing), I haven’t thrown in the towel yet,” Rodrigues said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Because of contracts, people are cautious,” he added.
Ancelotti, for his part, has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid unless he is forced out of the club.
Despite missing out on the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League titles last season, the club continue to back the veteran Italian and are planning for next season with him in charge.
So, despite Rodrigues’ confidence and perseverance, it is extremely unlikely that Ancelotti will be leaving Real Madrid for Brazil this summer.
