Real Madrid Transfers: An early look at expiring contracts in 2022
Real Madrid have three significant contract expiries at the end of the 2020-2021 season. Luka Modric is essentially guaranteed to re-sign, Lucas Vazquez seems to be as good as gone, and Sergio Ramos’ status remains in limbo.
But Real will already have to think about the players whose contracts will end after the 2021-2022 season. That’s why there are already rumblings about Raphael Varane potentially being sold so that Los Merengues can avoid losing the star center back for free.
Who are the key players with contracts set to end in 2022? Using Transfermarkt’s information, let’s break down the list and look at their importance to Real and the likelihood of them staying.
CB Raphael Varane
We obviously have to start with Raphael Varane. The French center back is one of the three best players in the world at his position and is imperative to re-sign, especially if Real lose Sergio Ramos. Signing David Alaba would soften the blow, and Eder Militao’s development is going well, judging by his performance in the first leg against Liverpool.
But Varane is irreplaceable. In so many ways, he is the perfect defender. If Real Madrid were to lose Varane, they would have no real way of obtaining an equal player. He is in his prime, and yet Real would not get near his true market value if they were forced to sell.
CF Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema’s future is not in any sort of doubt. He’s going nowhere. Benzema loves this club as much as anyone, if not more. He loves the club so much that he would rather leave than steal a paycheck and a spot from a young, up-and-coming player if he could no longer play at the elite level required of a No. 9 on this team.
However, Benz is showing no signs of slowing down. For three straight seasons, he has been Real’s MVP. This team would be nothing without him in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. Thankfully, help will be coming this summer (well, hopefully). And Benz will be indispensable in getting the most out of the next superstars at the Santiago Bernabeu. He’s already done a lot to assist the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.