Real Madrid manager provides update on contract negotiations with Luka Modric

Real Madrid manager Emilio Butragueno appears to have confirmed that midfielder Luka Modric has accepted a new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 35-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season, though Modric has been in talks about a possible extension for what looks like an eternity after first expressing his desire to sign a new deal this season. summer.

Rumors of an agreement on a further one-year extension for Modric were first reported by Marca in December, and while there is no official announcement yet, it is believed the deal is practically finished.

Modric remains a key Real player and collected an assist in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Alaves, after which Butragueno hinted that he was certain the Croatia international would stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

“There are players like Modric who improve this sport,” said Butragueno. “Its going to [Ferland] Mendy in the first half was a good thing. It is a luxury for us to have it.

“He gave us so much; he still gives us so much and he will continue to do so.

The victory over Alaves was Modric’s 368th appearance for Real since his £ 30million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, and it looks like there will be a few more to add to that tally before Modric leaves the Bernabeu.

The victory helped ease some of the pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane, who was not even present after testing positive for COVID-19. The Frenchman’s future is in question following poor defeats to Athletic Club and Alcoyano, but Butragueno has pledged his support for Zidane.

“Everyone knows what Zidane means to us,” added Butragueno. “What we want is for him to come back to us as soon as possible.

“We know what football is like, we’ve been through it for many years. When the team doesn’t win, we have to listen to comments and rumors of all types. We must be united and work hard. ”

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