Real Madrid News
Real Madrid identify two top defensive targets for the upcoming windows
Carlo Ancelotti, Santiago Solari and Jose Angel Sanchez sat down earlier this week to run through a detailed analysis of the squad available for the season ahead and the possible bottlenecks.
The defensive situation appealed to all three administrators as an emergency and they all agreed that a new signing would help the team’s cause, possibly in the winter transfer market.
As revealed earlier today, however, Florentino Perez is firm on sticking to the team’s tradition of not making movements in January. SER now bring to light an update on that front.
Two key targets
The Spanish outlet relays that Real Madrid have several candidates identified not only for the upcoming winter market but also next summer. Two names, however, stand out from the list – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jonathan Tah.
Both the Liverpool and the Bayer Leverkusen stars are in the final year of their contracts and will be free agents next summer, making them the ideal targets for June.
Should the club be forced to make a winter signing, however, Real Madrid may enter negotiations with their parent clubs to include a token fee and sign them six months early.
Florentino Perez is aware of the management’s desire to jump in for a signing and is still unconvinced about the need. Should he be convinced in the coming weeks, the cap to sign either player in January is set at €30 million.
Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Los Blancos for a long time now and the season-ending injury to Dani Carvajal only furthers the need for a new right-back. Pedro Porro, meanwhile, is the backup on that front.
Tah, on the other hand, is the management’s first-choice signing to slot into centre-back where Eder Militao is facing fragile fitness while David Alaba will not return until January at least.
It remains to be seen how Real Madrid approach the situation, especially with Perez still not convinced about January signings.
One of the main objectives for Real Madrid this summer was to bring in a new central midfielder capable of controlling the tempo and dictating the play from the middle.
A move for Rodri was in the works before the Spain captain decided to sign for FC Barcelona. The Merengues assessed several other options, but ended up not signing any player, with Jose Mourinho deciding to use Bernardo Silva in the double pivot.
One of the midfielders that Real Madrid were looking at as an option was Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
The England international has been on the club’s radar for a while now, but the Premier League club never opened the door for a summer departure.
Wharton could be on the market in 2027
However, now, according to The Guardian (h/t Bernabeu Digital), That stance could change next year, as that Palace would be prepared to consider selling Wharton during the next summer transfer window.
As mentioned already, Real Madrid have closely followed Wharton’s situation throughout the summer, although the club ultimately decided against making any further additions to their midfield.
Manchester City and Chelsea also showed serious interest in signing the England international during the summer. However, Crystal Palace were unwilling to sell, effectively ruling out a move for the midfielder.
But it appears that they could open the doors for Wharton to leave in the summer of 2027, potentially paving the way for Real Madrid to make a move.
Real Madrid continue to monitor Wharton
Real Madrid are expected to keep a close eye on Wharton’s progress ahead of the 2027 market. Should they decide they need another high-quality midfielder, the 22-year-old could once again emerge as a candidate.
Manchester City may be less likely to return for Wharton after strengthening their midfield significantly this summer.
Chelsea, however, could remain a potential competitor after failing to add a player in the position during the latest window.
For now, Wharton will remain at Crystal Palace, but the club’s willingness to consider a sale next summer means the midfielder could become a realistic option for Real Madrid in 2027.
