Reported Leeds United, Tottenham and Everton target Lucas Vazquez looks destined to leave Real Madrid as the cash-strapped La Liga giants can’t afford to finance his new contract, as reported by ABC.
Barcelona aren’t the only Spanish super club with serious problems off the field at the moment.
Bitter rivals Real Madrid have also been hit hard by a financial crisis that has held even Europe’s biggest and most historic institutions in a vice-like grip for the best part of 12 months.
And with Vazquez set to become a free agent in July, cash-strapped Real may have no choice but to let one of their most reliable players walk out the door.
ABC claims the 29-year-old Spain international wants a new, long-term deal worth about £160,000 a week – a 15 per cent increase on his current pay packet.
Real, however, are in no position to meet those demands. Instead, they are asking Vazquez to take a pay cut – one that would see his current weekly wage drop to about £130,000.
The report adds Los Blancos are under pressure to cut costs substantially and have asked their senior stars to accept a reduction on their sky-high salaries.
But with Vazquez establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet this season – filling in brilliantly for the injured Dani Carvajal at right-back – the long-serving utility man understandably feels he deserves a contract that reflects his growing importance to Zinedine Zidane.
Vazquez certainly won’t be short of offers when his deal runs out.
Last week, Deportes Cuatro reported Carlo Ancelotti has given Everton the green light to reunite Vazquez with James Rodriguez at Goodison Park, with Leeds United also interested.
Tottenham Hotspur are also chasing Jose Mourinho’s long-time target (Daily Star, page 45, 28 February).
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