Real Madridmanager Carlo Ancelotti has describedEduardo Camavingaas untouchable amid recent transfer speculation.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to thePremier Leagueleaders this window after struggling for minutes in Spain.

But Ancelotti, speaking to the media ahead of Sundays trip to Athletic Bilbao, dismissed transfer talk by saying: Eduardo is untouchable, like (Luka) Modric and (Toni) Kroos.

Camavingas contract runs until 2027 but while a string of players includingNacho,Dani Ceballosand Marcos Asensio see deals run out this summer, Ancelotti talked up their continued value.

Asked for any update on potential renewals, Ancelotti said: They have shown that they can be decisive. From what I see they are very motivated players and they have shown it.

We have to see what happens. Players who finish their contracts in June have to prove themselves. But it doesnt affect them.

Eden Hazardhas joined an injury list that also includesLucas Vazquez,Dani Carvajal,David AlabaandAurelien Tchouameni, but Ancelotti hopes to have players back for ThursdaysCopa del Reyderby against Atletico Madrid.

Tchouameni appears on course to return when he is fit after apologising for travelling to Paris to watch anNBAgame while his team-mates were in cup action againstVillarrealearlier this week.

We are close to recovering Carvajal, Alaba and Tchouameni. They are all close to returning next week, Ancelotti said.

On Tchouameni, he added: He has made his apology public in the dressing room. He made a mistake, but hes a young lad and the matter is over.

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Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became their correspondent. He has also previously worked for Cadena SER. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver in-depth Real Madrid analysis, interviews, stories, and more.