Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have agreed to extend veteran’s contract, but player tempted by Premier League
According to a report from AS, Real Madrid have agreed to renew the contract of veteran defender Nacho Fernandez by one more year until 2024. However, his continuity at the club is not guaranteed at this point as the player is said to be tempted by the Premier League.
Nacho has spent his entire career at Real Madrid. The 33-year-old made his first-team breakthrough in 2011 and has continued to be a useful presence in the squad ever since without really establishing himself as a regular starter at any point.
But, given his versatility, dedication and commitment, Nacho is a very popular figure among the fans and the managers he has worked with at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the summer arrival of Antonio Rudiger, the Spaniard suffered from a lack of game-time, something that upset him. But in the second half of the campaign, Nacho has regained prominence in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
The versatile defender, who can play anywhere across the backline, has featured much more regularly and seems happier at the club.
Real Madrid, for their part, have always wanted to keep hold of Nacho at the club. And the player, too, has been keen on continuing at the Bernabeu.
The report claims that Nacho’s agents had met with the club officials earlier in the season and had agreed some conditions over a one-year renewal. It was decided that they would meet again at the end of the campaign when the player would sign the agreement.
However, doubts are said to be creeping in now as Nacho is tempted by the prospect of moving to the Premier League. The report states that clubs in England would be willing to offer him longer contracts for two or three years while keeping his current salary.
At Real Madrid, though, players over 30 are traditionally offered just one-year extensions. So, it has created some doubts in Nacho’s mind.
Los Blancos are not forcing the defender into a decision and there is no deadline on the contract offer presented to him.
And the final call is totally up to the player as he considers renewing at Real Madrid or moving to the Premier League.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
