Real Madrid News
Real Madrid yet to meet forward to discuss contract renewal, player has two demands
At the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Marco Asensio’s departure from Real Madrid seemed to be non-negotiable. The club considered his demands for a higher wage to be unreasonable and thus were willing to show him the exit door when they could not reach an agreement.
Halfway through the season, the tables have turned. Real Madrid now want to renew Asensio’s contract as Carlo Ancelotti values the player highly. Both parties have not met yet, but AS adds that the player still wishes for a big contract and protagonism.
The winger is in the final five months of his contract and will be a free agent in June. Time is thus running out in the Bernabeu offices and a decision must be taken swiftly.
Asensio has already scored four goals this season, twice each in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. His most recent goal contribution came in Los Blancos‘ last game against Valencia when he opened the scoring with a long-range Golazo.
It is clear that Ancelotti wants the player to continue, especially given that Real Madrid rejected PSG’s advances to sign the player in the final days of the winter transfer window. However, they are yet to send an official proposal, and Asensio is waiting for the same.
The barrier between the two parties will likely be the economics of the contract once again.
The Spaniard has not started regularly this season but feels he deserves a raise after scoring crucial goals off the bench. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are unwilling to offer a large improvement on his current contract.
On top of that, the 27-year-old also wants a prominent role in the side, something that has not been forthcoming of late, with Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr ahead of him in the pecking order.
Asensio is expected to start against Mallorca at the weekend given Karim Benzema’s injury. It will be a big chance for the forward to prove his worth and lay the foundations to earn his dream contract.
Earlier today, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke openly about the rumours linking him to the vacant Brazil national team job.
The Italian tactician has emerged as the top target for the Selecao to succeed Tite, who was let go of after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The president of the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, has made it clear that Ancelotti is the preferred candidate for the job.
Reacting to the same, Ancelotti, during his press conference today, said: “The reality is that the Brazilian national team wants me and I love it and I’m very excited about it, but then I have to respect the contract I have and I want to fulfil it.”
“I’m not surprised that there are these rumours. It doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t worry me. I’m just focused on fulfilling my duties with this club and with this team. I’m still here until Real Madrid allow me to stay.”
While the 63-year-old might be saying that he wishes to fulfil his contract at Real Madrid, which expires in 2024, he did not shy away from stating that he was happy about Brazil’s interest in him.
And now, Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone) is reporting that the Selecao are ready to wait until June to go ahead with the appointment of Ancelotti.
While the Italian tactician remains in control at this point at Real Madrid, things could change drastically over the next couple of months.
The La Liga title looks already out of the Merengues’ hands while they are also trailing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final. If they fail to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League as well, Florentino Perez could decide to make some changes, starting with Ancelotti.
Hence, Brazil are happy to wait patiently until June and see how the situation is at that point and whether Ancelotti is available. With no major matches coming up for the Selecao until September, they can afford to wait as well.
