With only a few hours until Spain begins its Euro 2024 campaign against CroatiaThere is still a great deal of uncertainty about Nacho's future. The Real Madrid defender's contract expires on June 30 – In just over two weeks, and most of the conversations revolve around tours A lucrative two-year offer to play in Saudi Arabia the Union – A proposal that would allow the 34-year-old to do so Four times the salary he currently earns at the Bernabéu.
Nacho, a whole career at Real Madrid
Nacho entered the Madrid Youth Academy in 2001, came through the ranks to end up as captain of Castilla. Since making his first-team debut under Jose Mourinho in 2011, he has shown himself as one of the most versatile players in the squad, and although he has only had a handful of seasons where he was given regular spells, he has always delivered whenever he can be called upon. He got Real Madrid out of difficult situations on a number of occasions
But even after last season, when he was introduced A total of 45 matches – The most he ever achieved during 14 seasons with the first team, Nacho feels that his role within the team has not developed in Ancelotti's estimation And that he was overlooked in key matches – such as the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City or the first leg Classico At the Bernabéu. All of this made him think about moving forward.
While he is the first choice for centre-back army And Alaba was Nacho was out due to long-term injuries, and played in 45 of a possible 55 matches, missing three matches due to being sent off (two against Girona and one against Alaves). But now that Militao has fully recovered and is available again and with Alaba returning in a couple of months, along with Rudiger and Rafa Marin potentially set to return from loan at Alaves, Nacho sees his playing options reduced once again.
Lenny Euro is ready to move to Real Madrid
That's not the only reason Nacho is weighing his options. Real Madrid tops the list of candidates to sign young Lille centre-back Lenny EuroWho aspires to sign it Los Blancos Either this summer (in such a scenario, he would go out on loan, if Nacho decides to accept a one-year extension) Or in 2025 for free.
However, if Nacho leaves, the door will be open for Euros. It would also effectively leave everything up to the young French defender, who will have to decide whether to hold out for another year, terminate his contract and sign for Real Madrid on January 1 – or accept one of the other offers currently out there. Schedule of other clubs. Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Manchester United have shown a strong interest in the talented teenager. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has made its position clear: they are prepared to pay a maximum of 40 million euros for the player this summer, no more. – Or wait to sign him as a free agent next season.
Basically, this means that the Madrid plan is in its current state Signature Euro It will be activated If Nacho decides not to continue For another season. The only unknown is whether it will happen this summer or next year (2025). Euros will join compatriots Mbappe, Mendy, Camavinga and Tshwamini. He will be the fifth French player in the first team and will reinforce a region where most players, with the exception of Militao (and if Rafa Marin arrives), are over 30 years old. But for that to happen, Nacho must choose: whether to open the door to Euros or not…or not yet.
