Real Madrid: players whose contracts are due to be renewed or expire

It's well known how meticulously Real Madrid study every aspect of the contracts that are coming up for renewal. The club endeavours to find the right balance that will keep them permanently within the salary cap limits while simultaneously, tying down players whose buy-out fees are within range of big-spending, state-backed clubs.

In the back offices of the Bernabéu, the club has been busy working on the changes which will affect the first team squad in 2022. Modric, at 36, will sign a new deal. The Croatian had already entered into the phase of renewing year-on-year, as he did at the end of last season. In Riyadh, the question of his contract cropped up during a post-match interview when he picked up the MVP award in the Super Cup final: "I'm sure we'll reach an agreement and do what we think is best for both sides. It won't take two minutes to sort it out. But I' not thinking about that right now. Everyone knows what I want, I hope the club does too," he replied when asked about his contract situation.

But there are three top earners - Bale, Marcelo and Isco, who will come to the end of their contracts in June and won't be renewed. Once they are off the payroll, Madrid will make a saving of 60 million euros gross per season from their combined wages. In their place, new faces will join the squad while there will be sufficient margin to renew the contracts of other players.

Vinicius's contract

Of those who still have over a year to run on their contracts, the most pressing case which the club plan to deal with is Vinicius - not because his situation is up for review (his current deal expires in June 2024) but for his standing in terms of the rest of the squad - he is among the lowest earners. He will be offered a new deal which will move him up the pay scale to put him in line with his performance levels.

Out of the players who will be out of contract in 2023, Madrid now have a clearer idea of what to do with Marco Asensio - if he can maintain his current level, he will be offered a new, long-term deal (he's still only 25). Karim Benzema's contract will also be up in 2023. His case is similar to Modric's - there will be no problems in renewing his contract by another 12 months as long as he is still contributing goals. In contrast, there is Mariano, who has come close to leaving on a number of occasions but seems keen to prolong his links to Madrid for as long as possible. His contract expires in 2023. If he remains determined to stay (he will be offered the chance to leave again this summer), he will leave on a free at the end of his contract.

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Kroos to continue?

Another player whose contract will expire in 2023 is Toni Kroos, who chatted to Sky Sports about his situation recently: "I know what I have at the club and the club knows what they have with me. At some point, we'll sit down to discuss things calmly. Confidence is key. I still feel totally fine, but a series of things need to be in place. Firstly, my level has to be at the same as the team's. Secondly, I need to be up to continuing physically. And thirdly, the desire to keep going has to be there. When all of that is there, we'll talk. We'll talk at some point and if we don't, I am still under contract until 2023," he said, before adding, "I want to end my playing career at Real Madrid and I sure it'll turn out that way. I am only focused on this club. This is my eighth season here and I have an incredible relationship with the club - it's something I would never want to risk losing".