Real Madrid News
Real Madrid considering not signing a new defender, see three homegrown talents as options
After months of negotiations, Real Madrid had made a lot of ground on their pursuit of Leny Yoro. But it appears the club’s deal to sign the young defender has been hi-jacked by Manchester United.
The Premier League giants are all set to sign Yoro in a deal worth €62 million, which is a far cry from the €25 million Real Madrid are willing to offer.
Real Madrid not considering any new defenders
After fumbling the deal to sign Leny Yoro this summer, Real Madrid are now considering passing on the idea of signing a new defender, reports Jorge Picon.
The report adds that Yoro was Real Madrid’s plan A, and the club did not really have a Plan B, so to speak, despite interest in other defenders.
Real Madrid do not see an option like Leny Yoro in the transfer market – one who can match the potential and talent he possesses.
Although there are multiple players Real Madrid can still go for, the club are unlikely to make any moves for a new defender.
Focus on the youth brigade
Not singing Yoro or any other new defender, though, could put immense stress on the club’s defensive unit, especially after the departure of Nacho Fernandez.
Not to mention, David Alaba and Eder Militao both had to struggle with injuries throughout last season, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with little depth in central defence.
To compensate for this, Real Madrid are looking at the youth brigade. They are particularly keeping an eye on three central defenders from the academy.
The players in question are Marvel, Jacobo Ramon and Joan Martinez. The pre-season camp, in fact, should give Ancelotti an ideal opportunity to assess his defensive options carefully, including these talented youth players, who will be keen on making an impact.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
