Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran defender’s exit in January is a possibility – report
According to MARCA, Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez leaving the club during the January transfer window is a possibility.
The versatile defender is in the final year of his contract with Los Blancos and even though he has a one-year extension offer on the table, the Spaniard has currently halted talks over his renewal.
This is because the Real Madrid cantera is unhappy with his role and involvement under Carlo Ancelotti this season.
Indeed, Nacho has found game-time extremely hard to come by this season following the summer arrival of Antonio Rudiger. The Spanish ace is behind Eder Militao, David Alaba and Rudiger in the pecking order, leading to reduced minutes.
The 32-year-old, as a result, has played just 11 times across all competitions, clocking up just 414 minutes in the process.
Given his reduced game-time and his contract situation, a summer exit could be on the horizon. However, the report adds that there is a chance that Nacho could depart as early as January as well.
The 32-year-old is attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Aston Villa and Wolves, where he could find increased game-time if he were to decide to swap clubs midway through the campaign.
A player who has spent his entire career at Real Madrid, Nacho has always maintained that he wanted to remain a one-club man. However, with his situation being as it is, an exit in January could become a possibility.
In case that happens, the report indicates that Ancelotti could turn to Real Madrid Castilla defender Rafa Marin to reinforce the centre-back department.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
📋✅ Our squad for #RealMadridRealValladolid! pic.twitter.com/T9G5QY3P4D
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 2, 2023
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
