Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran yet to take decision about extension, club will not pressure him
Real Madrid’s 2022-23 season officially came to an end with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Club de Bilbao on Sunday night. The complete focus is now on the upcoming summer transfer window as the administration plan for a massive overhaul.
The Merengues have already announced the departures of several stars including Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and Karim Benzema. However, there is a chance that the list does not end there.
The future of Nacho Fernandez has been under a cloud of doubt for a long time now. The defender has an official renewal offer on the table from Real Madrid but has not communicated his decision so far.
According to reports from Arancha Rodriguez (h/t RM4Arab), Nacho has not chosen between the options on his table yet. He is oscillating between the choices of leaving and staying, although the former appears more probable.
His final decision is not expected to take long. However, Los Blancos, for their part, do not want to put any pressure on the centre-back to hurry to a decision.
The Spanish international has been a loyal servant to the Merengues from the day he was promoted from the Castilla side a decade ago. However, he desires a regular starting role in his final years in the top flight, and Carlo Ancelotti cannot give him any such guarantee.
Inter Milan are said to be well-placed to land the 33-year-old if he opts to leave the club of his dreams. With Milan Skriniar leaving, the Champions League finalists assure him of a regular role across all competitions, and the proposal is said to tempt the player.
After over 15 dedicated years at Real Madrid, the defender has earned the right to depart the club with his head held high. The Galacticos will find it difficult to find a player as committed and versatile as Nacho, even in the years to come.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
