Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend claims club do not need veteran midfielder: “Has to leave at some point”
Speaking on El Chiringuito TV, former Real Madrid star and legend Guti has claimed that the club do not need the services of veteran midfielder Luka Modric.
The 37-year-old midfielder is one among several players whose contract expires at the end of the season. While Real Madrid have been handing him a one-year rolling contract in recent times, there has not been much movement in terms of a new deal as of yet.
However, reports suggest that Los Blancos expect Modric to remain at the club for another season and that his renewal at a later stage this season will not be an issue.
But, former star Guti has claimed that he has doubts about giving the Croatian international a new contract as he would not have a space in the side next season. Furthermore, he claims that Real Madrid no longer need to be reliant on Modric, as he said:
“I have doubts with Luka Modric. He won’t have his space [next season]. Real Madrid doesn’t need him. I don’t know if Bellingham or another midfielder will come but he has to leave at some point.”
Guti’s claims come amidst Modric’s recent dip in form after he led Croatia to a third-place finish in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The veteran superstar has looked fatigued and has appeared well below his best since.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has been heavily reliant on the former Tottenham Hotspur man despite his age and all the minutes seem to be taking a toll on his fitness.
With Real Madrid pushing to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer transfer window, Guti sees it as the right time to bid goodbye to the legendary figure of Modric.
However, the Merengues see the situation in a different light, as they believe Bellingham’s pursuit is not dependent on the future of Modric and even want the Croatian to mentor him.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not worried about Bellingham’s knee injury, Dortmund asking for €150 million
Heading into the 2023 summer transfer window, Real Madrid had one main priority on their minds – signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund amidst interest from several other parties involved.
With Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool also chasing his signature, Madrid knew it was going to take a lot more than just a €120 million offer and a blank cheque to convince Bellingham.
Eventually, it seems the player’s desire to join Madrid came through. He rejected advances from the Premier League, and eventually chose the defending Champions League winners as his next home.
There are certainly doubts with the transfer, though, as there would be, with any €120 million signing. With this transfer, it is Bellingham’s knee troubles. The Englishman might have to undergo surgery to treat his knee, and is also expected to miss England’s EURO 2024 qualifiers.
A knee surgery at the age of 19 would, and probably should be a scary prospect for any player and club. Real Madrid, though, are not worried, as per a report by SPORT1.
They want him to form a ‘royal midfield’ quadrant with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde.
The transfer is expected to close next week, as Borussia Dortmund advanced negotiations with Real Madrid after losing the Bundesliga title on the final matchday.
The two club presidents, Hans-Joachim Watzke and Florentino Perez, have a ton of mutual respect for one another, and want the transfer to be closed promptly so both clubs can move forward with the rest of the transfer window.
For Dortmund, that means finding a replacement for Bellingham, and reinforcing their squad to challenge for the Bundesliga title next season. For Madrid, meanwhile, it would mean finding Karim Benzema’s replacement.
The final details of the transfer fee are still remaining, though, with Dortmund hoping to get nearly €150 million out of the deal.
