Real Madrid News
Real Madrid winger in talks over new contract, wants more money and bigger role
As speculations continue to mount on the future of Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana has come up with a fresh update on the contract situation of the Spaniard.
As per the journalist (h/t Madrid Zone), Asensio and Real Madrid are currently in talks over a new contract. But the 27-year-old is seeking more money than what is being offered as well as a more prominent role within the team.
The Spaniard’s current contract runs out in June, leading to links with a summer exit as a free agent. Real Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona, have been touted as a possible suitor for the winger, thanks to their relationship with his agent Jorge Mendes.
Asensio had held contract talks with the club in the summer, but they did not end well due to the disparity in wages being demanded and offered.
And, as things stand, it seems like the issue still remains with the aforementioned report stating that the Spanish international is seeking a bigger contract than what has been offered by the club.
At the same time, Asensio is also keen on having a more prominent role in Carlo Ancelotti’s plan. As things stand, the winger is behind Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes and even Federico Valverde in the manager’s order of preference.
With Brahim Diaz set to return to the club in the summer, Asensio risks falling down the pecking order by one more peg.
At 27, he is in his prime years and it is understandable that the attacker wants to play more regularly than he has of late.
But, as he revealed last week, Asensio remains keen on staying put at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he said: “Things are being discussed, we’ll see where it goes. I’m focused on myself and the next game. Hopefully, everything will come to fruition.
“I want to renew and stay at Madrid for a long time, but it’s not something that depends only on me. For me, the most important thing is sporting matters and being happy.”
With talks being held, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid and Asensio are able to reach a middle ground and strike an agreement over a new contract.
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
