Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran happy to continue at the club; player asked to call up Xabi Alonso
As we approach the summer transfer window, there are multiple Real Madrid stars who are uncertain about their future at the club.
One of them is Luka Modric, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The veteran has been a great servant for the club, but many believe his time at Santiago Bernabeu has come to an end.
This is relevant especially considering the fact that Real Madrid are set to appoint Xabi Alonso as the new manager, who likes to operate around a young team.
Modric wants to continue
However, according to MARCA, Modric himself has no intention of walking away just yet. Yhe Croatian midfielder is keen to stay on for one more season.
He is even willing to accept revised contract terms, knowing his role may be limited under the new project.
His personal goal is clear: continue at Madrid for one more year, lead Croatia into the 2026 World Cup, and then retire from elite football.
Despite the lack of formal talks with club president Florentino Perez so far, Modric’s commitment to the club has not wavered.
In fact, those close to him say he is ready for any role the team needs – be it as a mentor off the bench or a midfield stabilizer in key moments.
Interestingly, some teammates and club members have reportedly advised Modric to reach out to Xabi Alonso directly. The idea is to get a sense of the new manager’s vision and whether there is a place for him in it.
The coming few weeks, therefore, could prove to be important for the veteran midfielder as he looks to extend his storied spell at Real Madrid at least for another year.
Real Madrid, for their part, have reportedly identified as an ideal replacement for Modric in the form of Alexis Mac Allister, but signing the Liverpool star could prove to be expensive.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
