Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star rejects one-year contract offer, wants two years on his new deal
Nacho Fernandez has been one of the most underrated players of Real Madrid in recent years. Despite not establishing himself as a bonafide starter in the team, his commitment when given a chance has never been questionable.
The Merengues’ recent spell with injuries highlighted the Spaniard’s importance in the team, for Nacho was there to cover at both left-back and right-back when the situation demanded it.
Such was his influence that Jurgen Klopp named him the single reason behind Liverpool’s collapse after a good start at Anfield.
The centre-back’s contract with Real Madrid ends in the summer and there is no agreement between the two parties over an extension. While the club want Nacho to continue, the player has his doubts for a plethora of reasons.
According to reports from SPORT, Nacho has rejected Real Madrid’s first renewal offer which was for one additional year. The player wishes for a longer commitment with the club and expects a proposal that sees him at the club for two seasons at least.
The player’s demand is not unreasonable. However, it does not fit into Real Madrid’s ideology. The Merengues have limited veterans’ contract extensions to a single year and even club legend Sergio Ramos was forced to leave after denying to accept the one-season proposal on the table.
Nacho has started just eight games for Los Blancos this season in La Liga and has overseen four clean sheets. He averages over five defensive actions including three duels won per game.
In addition to the duration of his contract, Nacho’s dilemma over an extension stems from his sporting situation. The centre-back was said to be deeply affected by his lack of playing time at the beginning of the season, though the situation has changed in recent weeks.
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
