Champions League winners could face an axe as Real Madrid looking to revamp their squad.
Real Madrid are quietly bracing for changes in their backline as uncertainty grows over the futures of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
According to Spanish publication Diario AS, the club has not opened talks to extend their contracts, which run until June 2026.
Both players who have been instrumental in recent Champions League successes arrived on free transfer at Santiago Bernabeu.
Alaba arrived in 2021 from Bayern Munich, Rudiger followed from Chelsea a year later with both fitting the club’s policy of signing top-tier talent for free, which offered immediate experience without the burden of large fees.
However, things have changed with club looking ahead and their futures are no longer guaranteed.
David Alaba wage is a problem but Antonio Rudiger case more nuanced
David Alaba, who turned 33 this year, has become one of the highest earners in the squad despite spending much of the last season recovering from injury.
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According to the AS, the Austrian international earns €10.5m [$12m] per year and received a €17.7m [$20m] signing bonus when he joined from Bayern Munich.
In addition to that, his father was paid €6.3m [$7m] and agent Pini Zahavi received €5.2m [$6m] as part of the deal.
Los Blancos wanted to move him on this summer, but with no offers on the table, his entourage has made it clear he intends to stay until 2026.
Rudiger's position is still a little more favorable than Alaba's, and that has to do with the fact the club appreciates what he offered last season when everything was at its worse.
He has had a couple of physical problems and is already 32, but he refused to roll over and used some anti-inflammatory medication, playing through the pain to help the team with its injuries in defense.
He obviously left a big mark inside the club in regards to the commitment he showed, particularly as he delayed surgery until after the Copa del Rey final.
The club still has no plans to start renewal talks, but they will be surely monitoring Rudiger's condition very closely throughout the course of the season.
Meanwhile, Madrid is preparing for the next phase in defense by promoting 22-year-old Marvel and signing long term deal with 20-year-old Dean Huijsen, who was recently acquired from Bournemouth.
Eder Militao is expected to return from injury and reclaim his place. The club also hopes Ibrahima Konate will reject Liverpool’s renewal offer and join next summer.
Arsenal’s William Saliba is being monitored as well and although his contract runs until 2027, Madrid could act if an opportunity arises.
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