Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will look to sell 28-year-old defender in the summer – report
Real Madrid were looking to make a statement signing after the departure of Karim Benzema in the summer of 2022.
Most expected that superstar to come in the form of a striker, but Madrid refused to delve deeper into their budget after signing Jude Bellingham in the same window for €100 million.
And while Madrid do not have financial problems like Barcelona, Florentino Perez is carefully picking and choosing his money battles, especially with all the cash that has gone towards renovating the Santiago Bernabeu.
Therefore, Madrid want to sell players before signing replacements, and are especially concerned about several positions in defence, and more specifically the fullbacks.
Currently, los blancos have a 31-year-old Daniel Carvajal starting at right-back, with 33-year-old Lucas Vazquez as his replacement. Nacho, at 33, has also been covering those positions, but is likely playing his last season with the Spanish capital outfit.
While age is definitely a concern, Madrid are not particularly worried about any of their performances barring a certain Ferland Mendy. The Frenchman has been continually picking injuries and underperforming to the point the club want to get rid of him now.
According to a report by Mario Cortegana (h/t MadridXtra), Madrid will try and sell Mendy next summer.
Target: Alphonso Davies
While Fran Garcia has done a more than able job at left-back this season after re-signing for this boyhood club, assisting three goals in ten games, Madrid seem to have made it a point to sign Alphonso Davies in the summer.
The Bayern Munich star is out of a contract in 2025, and does not look too keen to renew at the Allianz Arena. He could be available at a slashed price in the summer of 2024.
Garcia, meanwhile, is expected to serve as his deputy if the transfer goes through.
Who is interested in Mendy?
Unfortunately for Real Madrid, there are not too many clubs keen on signing Mendy. There was some interest from Saudi Arabia over the past summer, but a move did not transpire eventually.
Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, has full faith in the 28-year-old, which is evident in his lineup selection whenever he is available to play.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid explored moves for Man City and Inter Milan stars before Ibrahima Konate transfer
Real Madrid’s summer activity saw the club bring in Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer. The former Liverpool star was one of many players to join the club in the summer.
While Konate has proven to be a shrewd piece of business, the club have once again lacked depth in central defence.
They have not been helped by the fact that Eder Militao is still out with an injury while David Alaba left in the club in the summer.
Real Madrid chose Ibrahima over Bastoni and Dias
According to Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid were fairly ambitious in the summer, as far as their defensive reinforcements plans were concerned.
The club had targeted a move for Alessandro Bastoni, which is not a secret at this point as arch rivals Barcelona were also interested. But inter Milan had no desire to sell, and the player ended up remaining at the club.
But one more player Real Madrid were targeting in the summer was Manchester City star Ruben Dias, who is considered one of the best in the Premier League.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid abandoned the pursuit of both Dias and Bastoni in order to chose Konate. It did take a while for Los Blancos to convince the former Liverpool star to jump ship and join Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer.
What’s next for Real Madrid?
Seeing the lack of depth in central defence this season, Real Madrid are once again expected to enter the market for a new centre-back.
Romano had earlier claimed that the club are keen on signing a centre-back, as well as a midfielder for the summer of 2027, with Jarrel Quansah as a potential target.
But given the way Real Madrid have struggled with a lack of options at the heart of the backline, it won’t be surprising to see the club make a move for a new centre-back in the upcoming January transfer window.
It will be equally interesting to see what transpires with the future of Raul Asencio, who is no longer a valued member of the first-team and the club remain determined to offload him in the near future.
