Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran will continue at the club next season – report
The saga of Jude Bellingham is entering territories one never expected it to reach. With the bidding war between Real Madrid and Manchester City upping Borussia Dortmund’s asking price, the possibility of him not joining the European Champions in the summer is getting real.
With the club possibly missing out on its top target, it remains to be seen as to what Florentino Perez has as his plan B. What is certain, however, is that Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will be very important next term too if they choose to renew.
According to reports from MARCA (h/t The Madrid Zone), the Croatian international will continue at Santiago Bernabeu next season. He will sign a one-year extension and talks between the parties are set to accelerate in the coming weeks.
Despite being 37 years old, Modric refuses to shy away from elite European action and wishes to compete at the highest level. While players far younger than him opt to make the move to an easier league, he continues to be single-minded.
It came to light earlier this week that the Croatian international turned down a lucrative two-year contract worth €60 million from Saudi Arabia to stay in the Spanish capital.
Modric does not have many more years left in his shoes, but it is clear that he wishes to maximise his time on the field playing for the very best. This season too, he has been a regular starter for the club across all competitions and the backbone of the team on the big nights.
The midfielder has made 25 appearances for Los Blancos in La Liga alone this term, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the process. He most recently provided another masterclass in the middle of the field in the club’s UCL clash against Chelsea which ended 2-0 in their favour.
And all signs point towards him continuing as a Real Madrid player beyond the ongoing campaign by renewing his contract which expires on June 30.
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.
