Real Madrid News
Here we go – French defender set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer
Real Madrid have done a superb job of accelerating their operations in the transfer market this summer, despite the prospect of the upcoming presidential elections.
The Spanish giants have been primarily chasing two defenders in Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries. Both have been signed, according to Fabrizio Romano and it was reported last night that Dumfries was going to arrive in Madrid to complete his medical.
Romano has already given his customary ‘here we go’ for the Dumfries deal.
Ibrahima Konate – here we go
Now, Romano has given his ‘here we go’ for the Konate deal as well, confirming that the French defender will indeed sign for Real Madrid heading into the next season.
The former RB Leipzig defender has signed a four-year contract with Los Blancos, same as Dumfries. Both players are expected to join the Madrid camp soon.
Romano adds that Konate and Dumfries’ move will be made by official only after the presidential election, where Florentino Perez will be taking on Enrique Riquelme.
Perez, though, is the undisputed favourite and has already ratified these two signings.
How will Konate and Dumfries fit into Real Madrid?
Konate and Dumfries are not absolute world class talents who can become the X-factor overnight. But they are gritty players who will add valuable depth to Real Madrid’s defensive unit.
Konate can add some much-needed competition for the centre-backs Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.
Meanwhile, Dumfries is likely to operate as the main left-back for Real Madrid next season, as new coach Jose Mourinho is reportedly not too impressed with Alvaro Carreras.
For Real Madrid, it is a net win as the club will be able to announce both deals before the World Cup – something the team wanted desperately.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
🆚 @ElcheCF
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