Real Madrid will not address any pending squad renewals until after the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. The decision does not take into account the sentiment of the club’s fans, who throughout Sunday’s celebrations did not give up asking Florentino Pérez to renew already Modric, Nacho and Kroos, footballers whose contracts end on June 30. Lucas Vázquez and the two loanees are also in this situation: Kepa and Joselu.
Of all these cases, the renewal that worries Madrid the most is that of Kroos, because the club wants to renew him whether yes or not and it is the German who gives extensions. In fact, Kroos has not even addressed the club and instead has confirmed his return to the German national team to play in the next European Championship.
The purchase of Joselu from Espanyol and the return of Kepa to Chelsea are also taken for granted. The Basque goalkeeper started the season as a starter following Courtois’ injury, but lost his place when he was injured in December at the hands of Lunin, who has put in a very good season. The Ukrainian is in talks to extend his contract.
As for captain Nacho, Ancelotti said at the press conference yesterday that “he can do what he wants because he has earned it”. At Sunday’s festivities, Nacho did not speak. He has a major economic offer from the United States and it is not clear that he wants to continue. Should he continue, he would hang up his boots at Madrid, the only club he has played for, and would be one of Madrid’s only five one club men. The other four are Zárraga, Camacho, Chendo and Sanchis.
A very special case is that of Luka Modric. At 38, the Croatian wants one more year. In principle, Madrid are not very keen on the job for him to continue, but if they won the Wembley final, it would be very difficult for the club to refuse a renewal of the Croatian, perhaps the player most loved by the fans. Modric’s good rapport with Florentino Pérez also counts in favor of the renewal.
As for Lucas Vázquez, everything indicates that there will be an agreement and that the Galician full-back will renew for one season.
Madrid receives Alabès today, another day with many rotations. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Courtois and Militão will start.
Neither team has anything to play for. Alabès is already saved and hasn’t lost in four games. The match is a test for Rafa Marín, a central player that Madrid has loaned to Alabès. In Valdebebas it is said that he could return next season, especially if Nacho does not renew.