Real Madrid is not idle. Launched in its summer tour in the United States, the Spanish club will face AC Milan (August 1), FC Barcelona (August 4) and Chelsea (August 7). Behind the scenes, the Madrilenians are also on deck, having completed the arrival of Kylian Mbappé this summer as well as the departures of Toni Kroos (retirement) and Nacho. We also imagined that the residents of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium would look for a replacement for him. The name of Leny Yoro has long been mentioned in the Iberian capital. But he finally signed for Manchester United.
Preparing for the future in defense
For his part, Carlo Ancelotti sent a fairly clear message on the subject in a press conference. “The team is complete. Everyone wants to stay. Jesus Vallejo is back and David Alaba is recovering. We have young players: Joan Martínez, Jacobo Ramón and Raúl Asencio. There are no departures, because everyone wants to stay.” Nevertheless, AS explains that the recruitment of a central defender is not totally ruled out by the Casa Blanca. In addition to the departure of Nacho and the failure of the Yoro file, the club is in uncertainty regarding David Alaba, who missed eleven months of competition.
Moreover, the 32-year-old Austrian is no longer young. The same goes for Antonio Rüdiger (31), who nevertheless remains a valuable player. AS therefore indicates that in the event of a good opportunity, the Merengues will recruit for this position. Recently, the name of Aymeric Laporte (30 years old) was mentioned. The former City player has the advantage of knowing La Liga well since his time at Bilbao and he is especially appreciated by Carlo Ancelotti and the French from Real Madrid. But Al-Nassr does not want to give him away for free. Which blocks the operation. The Madrilenians are therefore remaining attentive to the market, they who want a good, inexpensive opportunity to summarize.
Real Madrid on the lookout in South America
In any case, this is a position where the 2024 European champions will seek to strengthen themselves in the coming months. Still in the defensive sector, they also intend to bring new blood to the left-back position. Despite the future extension of Ferland Mendy, recruiting Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), free next summer, is the objective. For the right-back position, with an aging Dani Carvajal (32 years old) and a Lucas Vazquez, who has one year left on his contract and who is helping out in this position, strengthening is a priority. The Madrilenians intend to tackle the Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) file according to AS.
Let us recall that the name of Achraf Hakimi (PSG), formerly of the White House, was mentioned a few months ago. But the Englishman of the Reds seems to be the preference of the Spanish scouts. Finally, the Spanish champions also have an eye on young talents. After Endrick in Brazil, it is on the side of Argentina that the Merengues are looking. AS confirms that Real Madrid are keen on Franco Mastantuono (16 years old, River Plate). The Spanish media adds that Santiago Solari has the mission of lowering the price of the player, whose clause is currently €45 million. The Merengues will not put more than €25 million. A file that will take time like the others, but Real Madrid knows how to be patient to get what it wants.
