Real Madrid have to worry about two contract renewals before the end of the 2020-2021 season. They have already ensured Luka Modric will stick around amidst a wonderful season from the world-class midfielder, but they have yet to agree to new contracts with Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez.
Whereas the recent indications on a Ramos extension are positive, Real Madrid may have a more difficult time agreeing to terms with Vazquez.
Although Vazquez isn’t as important to the club as Ramos or Modric, he has been a key player in his own right this season for Los Blancos. Vazquez has outplayed Marco Asensio on the right wing, and he has been the best backup right back for Dani Carvajal, making Alvaro Odriozola’s place redundant. The Galician has been a revelation at right back, making up for his lack of positional experience with offensive impetus and hard-fought defending.
Tomas Gonzalez-Martin of ABC Deportes reports (article in Spanish) that because of his increased role with the club, Lucas Vazquez would like a 15 percent raise in salary on his new contract, which would be a three-year deal. But Real Madrid want him to take the 10 percent paycut that Modric and others have already agreed to.
Real Madrid simply cannot give Lucas Vazquez a big raise
It is a very tricky situation. Vazquez has a case for a raise, given he has played 1,358 minutes in La Liga this season and has been one of the team’s best players. His versatility is an asset, and Vazquez can argue that Real Madrid won’t be able to find a player like him.
But on the other hand, Los Blancos just don’t have the money to commit to Vazquez if they want to make improvements at other positions. Real Madrid need to focus on signing young superstars in the attack. Vazquez is a 29-year-old whose primary position is on the right wing. And although he’s good at right back, Carvajal is the clear starter when healthy.
There is one final problem. If veteran leaders and world-class stars like Casemiro and Modric took paycuts of 10 percent, it sets a bad example if Los Blancos let Vazquez get a 15 percent raise. And that’s not even mentioning loanees Martin Odegaard and Luka Jovic have committed to reductions. Other players will want the same as Vazquez and wonder why he was treated differently.
Real Madrid should do what they can to keep Vazquez, but within reason. He is important, but at a time when Los Blancos need to take full stock of their squad and make significant changes to compete at the highest possible level, he is not even close to untouchable.