Real Madrid U-turn sees Man Utd, Chelsea sweating on winger swoop

Lucas.Vazquez.2021.TEAMtalk1

Reports claim Real Madrid want to keep Lucas Vazquez at the club and will offer him a new deal to end the hopes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

The 29-year-old will fall out of contract at the Bernabeu this summer. It was thought Los Blancos were happy to let him leave, with rumours that six players would depart Madrid in the off-season.

But Marca are reporting that the Spanish giants have now offered him a new improved deal. Vazquez is currently injured and will not play again in 2020-2021.

Real reportedly offered him new terms before the injury but have now returned with a better package. It is not known if the Spain international will accept, with other clubs sure to show their hands.

Having come up through the Real youth ranks, Vazquez made his senior debut in 2015. After playing for the club’s C and B teams, he spent 2014-15 on loan with Espanyol.

That convinced Real chiefs he was ready for the big time and the versatile right-sided player has made 164 league appearances. He has enjoyed 240 outings in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and is a favourite of coach Zinedine Zidane.

The man with nine Spain caps has helped out at right-back this term in Dani Carvajal’s absence. But he is also comfortable playing further up the pitch wide on the right.

That gives Zidane options and the Frenchman wants him to remain at the club.

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Bayern Munich an option for Vazquez

While English interest in the Galician is well known, German giants Bayern Munich are also keen. They appeared happy to take him on a free transfer, while Arsenal, Tottenham and Leeds have also been linked.

There is much uncertainty regarding football finances at present due to the pandemic. And Vazquez would have represented superb value as a free transfer.

He may well still leave the Spanish capital but it is clear that Real want him on their books. And the chances of that happening have increased after reports of an improved offer on the table.

Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid press conference

Early last month, he offered a cryptic message about his future.

“I’m really enjoying myself this season because I’m playing and that’s what makes me happy,” he said. “A contract extension? I was and will always be a Real Madrid man.”

It was unknown if he meant in a playing sense but that may now be the case.

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