Adan declines to renew his contract with Real Madrid

Antonio Adan has refused to renew his contract with Real Madrid. Some days ago, the club offered him a contract extension until 2016, two seasons longer than what is remaining on his current agreement but does not want to stay if he cannot play as many minutes as he wants. Real Madrid wanted to sign him an extension to cut the wishes of clubs which have been interested in him and to have an ideal replacement for Casillas.

Antonio Adan

Adan, 25 years old, has come up through the youth teams at Real Madrid (he has played for white team since he was 7 years old), and now he wants to have more opportunities and more regularity. During next season, he will go on being a substitute to Iker Casillas, but if he has not accepted the extension on his contract, he demonstrates that has realised that his time at Real Madrid is ending. He wants to leave. He does not want to stay under the shadow of Casillas.

Mourinho has spoken several times with Adan to show him support and appreciation for the work he is doing everyday and to encourage him to continue working because in the new season he will have a different role. Mourinho talked to him to play the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) and the club offered him the renewal, but after analyzing it, the goalkeeper has decided to refuse the contract extension.

Adan stays, but with his contract until 2014. When next season finishes, the player will only have a year contract remaining and Real Madrid will have to revisit the issue because the player could go free. Mourinho solves a problem in the short term but Adan will fly searching a team that gives him more chances to play, in that spirit to enjoy the competition as starter player.

This means that Real Madrid is forced to start looking at goalkeepers to be Casillas’s understudy. And the market does not offer anything worthwhile. Besides, to sign a player means an outlay of money. So currently, the club thinks about three options in the youth squad. Jesus Fernandez (24), Tomas Mejias (23) and Fernando Pacheco (20) are called to take the Adan's place. These are the guys who see Casillas like an idol and the coaches of the club know that one day they will have to defend Real Madrid's jersey. It will be necessary to speed up the training of these young goalkeepers. This will not be easy.