Arda Güler’s future, Raúl Asencio’s return to training, and preparations for Rayo Vallecano headline today’s Real Madrid roundup. Elsewhere, Deco has explained why Barcelona did not sign Bernardo Silva, while Predrag Mijatović has called for patience with José Mourinho’s team.
Güler reportedly agrees improved contract until 2031
According to AS, Real Madrid and Arda Güler have reached an agreement on an improved contract running until 2031, with a salary increase reflecting his growing importance within the squad.
The report states that the new terms
will apply from the beginning of the current season. Güler’s existing contract runs until June 2029, meaning the proposed agreement would extend his stay by another two years. The club has yet to officially announce the deal.
Beyond securing his long-term future, the reported renewal represents recognition of how much his standing has changed since arriving from Fenerbahçe in 2023.
Güler finished last season with six goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances. He has featured in all four league matches this season, contributing one goal and one assist, although suspension ruled him out of the Champions League opener against Inter.
AS also reports that Mourinho primarily sees Güler as an attacking midfielder who can influence games closer to the opposition’s goal. The manager is said to be pleased with his performances, work rate, and commitment, and has communicated that assessment to the club’s hierarchy.
Asencio rejoins the group ahead of Rayo
Raúl Asencio returned to training with his teammates on Thursday as he enters the final stages of his recovery from the muscle injury that has prevented him from playing this season.
His involvement is an encouraging step, although a return to group training does not necessarily mean he will be available against Rayo Vallecano. The defender is expected to use the upcoming international break to continue rebuilding his fitness.
Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, and Rodrygo, meanwhile, continue their individual recovery programmes, working both indoors and outside. Militão and Mendy are expected to move towards the final stages of rehabilitation in the coming weeks, while Rodrygo still faces several months of recovery from his cruciate ligament injury.
There will also be a change to Friday’s media arrangements. With Formula 1 activity taking place near Valdebebas, training will be held behind closed doors, without the usual opening 15 minutes of media access. Mourinho’s press conference will instead take place at the Santiago Bernabéu at 1:00 p.m.
Deco explains why Barcelona did not sign Bernardo Silva
Barcelona sporting director Deco has discussed the club’s interest in Bernardo Silva before the Portuguese midfielder joined Real Madrid following his departure from Manchester City.
Speaking to MARCA, Deco said that Silva’s profile was not Barcelona’s priority and that discussions did not progress within the conditions the club was prepared to offer.
“It wasn’t the position we were looking for, given his profile,” Deco said. “He’s a fantastic player, he plays for my national team. He’s been one of the best in the world in recent years, but the position wasn’t what we were looking for.
“We heard he wanted to come, and with his level of play, he was always going to be an asset. But then things didn’t work out because we can’t go beyond our initial expectations. If you want to come, that’s how it is. We don’t tell a player whether he’s going to play or not.”
Deco also explained how Barcelona’s move for Rodri developed after initially believing the midfielder would remain at City.
“At first we thought he wouldn’t leave City, that it was impossible,” he said. “The moment we heard he might leave, the first thing we did was call the sporting director to confirm the information.
“He told me that they had presented him with a contract extension, but that if he decided to leave, it would be difficult to stop him because of his history at the club. The manager said go ahead and we started working on it.”
Mijatović calls for patience — and an end to Kroos and Modrić comparisons
Predrag Mijatović offered a measured assessment of Madrid’s start to the season during an appearance on El Larguero, questioning whether the team has yet shown enough to inspire confidence in a league title challenge.
The former Madrid striker also acknowledged the frustration among supporters, but believes Mourinho is beginning to establish the foundations of his team.
“It’s early days, but you can see a certain seriousness… Little by little, Mou will achieve what he wants. A solid, cohesive team that is lethal on the counter-attack.”
“Little by little. We have to be patient. We shouldn’t judge them now based on five games played.”
For Mijatović, part of that patience involves allowing the current midfield to develop without constantly measuring it against two of the most influential players in the club’s history.
“Real Madrid has the capacity to improve. We shouldn’t cry over the players who are no longer here and who made history, like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. We miss them… but where do we find players like those two? We have to trust in those who are already here and never compare them to Modric and Toni Kroos.”
He nevertheless warned that the atmosphere will depend on what the team produces on the pitch.
“Real Madrid can improve, but the fans are in a state of revolt and protesting. And that will continue until the team shows something different.”
Rayo arrive with significant selection problems
Rayo Vallecano face a difficult balancing act ahead of their visit to the Bernabéu, with suspensions and injuries limiting Beñat San José’s options.
Jorge de Frutos will serve a two-match suspension, while Fran Pérez is suspended for one game. Their simultaneous absence leaves Rayo particularly short on the right wing, with Giorgi Tsitaishvili potentially switching flanks to cover.
An alternative involving Iván Balliu and Andrei Rațiu is complicated by Balliu’s ankle problem. San José confirmed that the defender is trying to make himself available, but his participation remains uncertain.
“We’re shorthanded. We have another player out. Nteka was injured in training, he had a muscle strain. The suspended players (De Frutos and Fran Pérez) in the same position are a huge blow to the team. That, added to the injuries we already had. Balliu suffered a very hard tackle against Racing and his ankle is injured, but he’s very brave and is doing everything he can to be fit. Some of the new players are in condition to decide whether they can start or not.”
Rayo are also dealing with the absences of Vertrouwd, Isi Palazón, and goalkeeper Augusto Batalla. San José said Isi is moving towards on-field work, alternating treatment with individual training.
Marash Kumbulla has returned to group training, although the coach stopped short of confirming his inclusion in the squad.
“Kumbulla? This is his first week training with the group. There’s another training session tomorrow. Depending on how he looks and how he feels, we’ll see if he can be included in the squad. We’re considering it.”
Sergio Camello remains a major attacking threat after scoring twice in each of Rayo’s last two matches, against Barcelona and Racing Santander. San José praised both his finishing and his contribution beyond the penalty area.
“He’s scoring a lot of goals, and they’re high-quality goals. What amazes me about him is his work rate. He’s a player who not only scores goals, but he also links up very well with his teammates.”
Beñat San José: “Which player would I remove? Mourinho”
Despite those absences, San José insisted Rayo would prepare for Madrid without abandoning their own approach.
“The approach doesn’t change at all. We start the week focused on Rayo, on how we need to improve and continue to strengthen. Then comes the analysis of the opponent. We’re going to try to compete with our own style of play. Obviously, Real Madrid is a team that we have to understand, both in terms of their style of play and their playing profiles.”
He highlighted Madrid’s use of Yan Diomande out wide in the second half as one of the details his staff have studied, while stressing the need to adapt without changing Rayo’s identity.
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the equation, San José chose the manager instead.
“Which player would I remove from Real Madrid? I would remove Mourinho. He is one of the best coaches in the history of football. It is true that they also have one of the best goalkeepers in the history of football and one of the best strikers in the history of football.”
He also declined to weigh in on the reaction of Madrid’s supporters during the win over Inter.
“I’m not going to comment on what the Real Madrid fans do. It was a very good match against Inter in which both teams could have scored more goals.”
