(Football news) One doesn’t always associate Real Madrid with homegrown players. Even though club legends Iker Casillas, Raul, Emilio Butragueño and Guti are academy graduates who went on to do wonders for the first team, Real Madrid has always been the club to buy players. Having said that over the years Los Blancos have had academy players who have found their place in the 1st team. In the current Real Madrid squad Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are academy graduates as is current squad Vice captain Nacho. 

The centre back joined the academy at the age of 11 in 2001 and since then has worked his way up the ladder. He made his first team debut in 2011 and has gone  on to win 19 trophies including 3 La Ligas and a joint record of 5 champions leagues. Now after over 20 years with the Merengues, Nacho could secure a move away from the Bernabéu.

Having extended his contract in 2021, his current deal runs out at the end of this season. Real Madrid reportedly want him to stay and sign a new deal but the player has stalled the talks as he isn’t sure about his future. Nacho is currently the 4th choice centre back at the club behind Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger which has hindered his game time.

For the majority of his career Nacho has been 4th choice centre back and 3rd choice for just a couple of seasons. He has rejected offers from several other top clubs to stay in Madrid but now at the age of 32 he may want a different challenge. Playing regular football at another club would be a good challenge for Nacho. Real Madrid will do everything in their power to keep him as he is Mr. Dependable and delivers whenever called upon. The fact that he can play any position in the back 4 is something that makes him a luxury for any manager.

Also read: Sevilla set to terminate Isco’s contract after just 4 months