Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Luka Modric "will continue to be important" for the club amid suggestions that the experienced midfielder will depart in 2024.
The 38-year-old signed a 12-month extension with Los Blancos over the summer, but he has only started once in La Liga this season, with Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Croatia international recently admitted that he found it "strange" not to be a starter this season, having been a key player for club and country throughout his career.
A number of Saudi Arabian clubs are said to be keen on signing Modric next year, while Dinamo Zagreb president of the board Vlatka Peras has revealed that the club will attempt to re-sign the midfielder in 2024.
Ancelotti has admitted that Modric's "role has changed", but the Italian has insisted that the Croatian will remain an important player for Los Blancos.
"When he renewed, we were all delighted. His role has changed because at the beginning he has only started one game, but now he will have more prominence and will continue to be important," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Sociedad.
"I have discussed this issue with him. He has had to endure a little longer than he expected, normal now that I have given prominence to young people. This squad has a lot of competition and a lot of quality.
"I don't need to give Modric and [Toni] Kroos minutes to see what they can contribute and will contribute this year, even if it is with fewer minutes because behind them there are extraordinary players."
Real Madrid will be bidding to make it five league wins in a row on Sunday, and they will be boosted by the return of Dani Ceballos from a hamstring problem.
Ferland Mendy, though, remains on the sidelines due to a muscular issue, while Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior are also unavailable through injury.
"Ceballos will be [available] against Real [Sociedad], but Mendy will not. He has to continue with his plan. We have to get him in when he is 100% ready and I think he will be in the squad on Wednesday," said Ancelotti.
"I don't know the exact day (Vinicius will return). The reality is that he is recovering very well but we don't have to force his recovery. The scar is fine. He is increasing his workload.
"Next week he will start doing some of the work with the team. I think that he will recover before the six weeks that they have said."
Real Madrid will follow the game against Real Sociedad with their Champions League group-stage opener at home to Union Berlin next week. body check tags ::
