Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not in talks for Spain defender who would be ‘delighted’ to join club
Given the fitness issues plaguing Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, coupled with the latter’s uncertain future at the club, Real Madrid are now ready to sign a new centre-back in the summer.
Dean Huijsen of AFC Bournemouth has been identified as the main target but given the competition for the 20-year-old, other targets are also being monitored.
One name that has frequently cropped when Real Madrid have been scouring for defensive reinforcements in recent times is Aymeric Laporte.
The UEFA Euro 2024 winner plies his trade at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia but has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital for some time now.
Nothing between Real Madrid and Laporte
However, journalist Anton Meana has now reported that Real Madrid are not pursuing the signing of Aymeric Laporte and are holding no talks to explore such a move.
The report suggests that the former Manchester City ace would be ‘delighted’ with a chance to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 30-year-old is still a capable player with plenty of experience at the highest level from his time at Athletic Club and Manchester City, as well as the Spanish national team.
However, at the moment, Laporte is not on Real Madrid’s agenda and there has been no contacts or talks to bring him in the summer.
The Spanish international’s age as well as his high wages and the high transfer fees that Al-Nassr will demand for him are seen as major deterrents.
So, there will be no move for Laporte despite the player’s interest in making the switch to Real Madrid.
As mentioned above, Huijsen remains the priority target while the likes of Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba are also options but their steep price tags put them out of reach.
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.
