Real Madrid News
Real Madrid renew interest in Spanish defender who could be available for €15 million – report
Real Madrid may look to strengthen their defence during their visit to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, with reports from Fichajes suggesting the club could revive their interest in Aymeric Laporte.
The 30-year-old Spanish international, currently playing for Al-Nassr, had previously been linked to the club, and now it seems that this transfer could once again be on the cards.
Laporte’s potential move comes after the injury of Eder Militao, which has left Real Madrid with fewer options at centre-back.
With their defence needing reinforcement, Laporte has emerged as a viable option due to his experience and solid performances at Manchester City before his move to Saudi Arabia.
Real Madrid are reportedly keen
The club’s sporting management is said to be keen on the idea, particularly as the team seeks stability at the back following recent setbacks.
Al-Nassr, aware of Real Madrid’s interest, are reportedly open to negotiating the transfer in the winter market for a fee close to €15 million, which is considered a reasonable price for a player of Laporte’s calibre.
However, a significant hurdle in completing the deal is Laporte’s current salary. At Al-Nassr, he earns around €24 million annually, a figure that Real Madrid may find difficult to match.
For the transfer to be feasible, the defender would need to accept a major pay cut.
Florentino Pere could use the opportunity of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia to engage with Laporte’s representatives and Al-Nassr. The goal would be to find a way to make the transfer work, balancing the financial demands with the club’s objectives.
For his part, Laporte would also need to be open to returning to European football, even if it means sacrificing a portion of his current earnings.
This move could offer him a chance to return to the top level of European football and play for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.
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.
