Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran’s contract renewal in sight as he nears unique milestone
Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric has established himself as the ageless wonder. The midfielder turned 37 earlier this week and remains a permanent fixture in the starting XI despite his advancing years.
Having joined the club over a decade ago, the Croatian international has made 442 appearances already, scoring 33 goals in the process. Easily one of the best midfielders of the modern era, Modric signed a new one-year contract with Los Blancos earlier this year.
And he has started the new campaign with a bang, already scoring twice and setting up one more goal in six matches in all competitions.
Modric’s form and quality, despite his age, was one of the reasons why Martin Odegaard was sold off permanently to Arsenal by Los Blancos. And, having penned a new deal in June, that will expire in the summer of 2023, the veteran is close to another one-year renewal at the club.
This claim comes from MARCA, who report that Modric’s twelve-month rolling contract will be renewed soon by Real Madrid as he continues to stand out as one of their best performers week in and week out.
Modric received standing ovations from away fans during Real Madrid’s games against Celta Vigo (La Liga) and Celtic (Champions League), highlighting his class, quality and the level at which he is performing.
Given that, another one-year extension makes a lot of sense if he keeps putting up displays at the elite level.
At the same time, Modric is also reaching a unique milestone as he is set to make his 100th appearance for Real Madrid after turning 35 years of age (!). Indeed, since he turned 35 on September 9, 2020, the midfielder has played in 99 of the Merengues’ 114 matches.
And later tonight, if he features against RCD Mallorca, Modric will became only the third player in the history of the club to play 100 matches after turning 35, following in the footsteps of icons like Paco Buyo (160) and Ferenc Puskas (120).
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
