Transfer Centre

Joselu determined to stay at Real Madrid next season

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 15 November 2023

On-loan Espanyol forward Joselu hopes that he will be able to "stay another year" at Real Madrid, having impressed for the club this term.

Joselu is hopeful that he will be able to "stay another year" at Real Madrid, with the forward performing an important role for the team during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 33-year-old was re-signed by Los Blancos on loan from Espanyol over the summer, with the capital giants needing another forward following Karim Benzema's unplanned departure.

Joselu has scored five times and contributed two assists in 13 La Liga appearances this season, while he has also featured on three occasions in the Champions League.

As it stands, the Spain international will return to parent club Espanyol at the end of the season, but Real Madrid have the option to sign him on a permanent basis.

Joselu is hopeful that his second spell with Real Madrid will not end this summer, insisting that he can "contribute to the club" moving forward.

Real Madrid's new signing Joselu during a press conference on June 20, 2023 © Reuters

"Hopefully, that is my goal (to stay at Real Madrid). I hope I can stay another year and continue enjoying this. I know the role I can contribute to the club and not all teams have a profile like mine and it is very different from everything," he told COPE.

"I can tell you that I am very happy with what I am playing, what I am contributing. What I want is to continue contributing and giving solutions to moments when the coach needs me on the field.

"We all know the quality there is in that squad. I came to help as much as possible and I think that when the coach has trusted me I have responded quite well by scoring goals and giving the team points.

"I have five [goals]. Some more should arrive. In the end, we forwards live on that and I am happy because the team generates and I have scoring chances, although it is impossible to score them all because even the best in the world have good days and bad days.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on November 8, 2023 © Reuters

"I am I'm happy with the number of goals, you can always contribute a few more, but I'm left with the fact that the majority of the goals I've scored have been for the team to score.

"I always try to improve on the previous season. Last year I scored 17 and I hope this year I can score 18. If I score 18 goals, I think it's a pretty good number.

"He (Carlo Ancelotti) has always been very sincere and very direct with me since the day I arrived.

"I am very happy because I am always an option among the changes he has, when a player has not been there he has counted on me and I only have words of gratitude. When he has played, well, and when not, also."

Joselu previously represented Real Madrid between 2009 and 2012, but he only made two appearances during that time, scoring twice, before leaving on a permanent basis for Hoffenheim.