Tonight, the Champions League will make a new victim. After AC Milan yesterday, a new big one in Europe goes whatever happens to the hatch. It will be Manchester City or Real Madrid, the last two winners of the tournament. And before the kick -off of the meeting, it is the Mancunians who are in an uncomfortable position since they bowed 3 to 2 last week at the Etihad Stadium. Their chances of going to the next round have therefore been reduced, especially since they will not have the advantage of the field against the Merengues. But the Champions of England still have a small hope. And we speak more than the 1% mentioned by Pep Guardiola, who has confessed that he had exaggerated.
A central defender will be recruited
For its part, Real Madrid takes this match very seriously and wants to finish the job in front of its supporters as admitted Carlo Ancelotti in front of the press yesterday. A technician whose future could be seriously questioned in the event of a premature road trip to C1. Especially since the shadow of Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen) hovers over him. A change at the head of the first team is not excluded this summer or at the latest in 2026, once the Mister has completed his contract. Regarding the workforce, the Madrilenians are already working on the next transfer window. It is not a secret since they tried to complete the free arrival of Alphonso Davies, who finally turned and extended to Bayern Munich.
The Merengues should be more likely with Trent Alexander-Arnold, which is the priority at the post of right side after the long-term absence of Dani Carvajal. Especially since it has the advantage of being free next June. And according to the Iberian media, the case is already in the bag and the English will join the Spanish capital in a few months. This completed file, Real Madrid advances on its other priority: recruiting a central defender. For some time, Ancelotti has had to tinker in this position where there have been many injuries, including those of Eder Militão and David Alaba, who lived a Calvary. Recently, Antonio Rüdiger was also on the side.
Besides Saliba, Konaté also pleases Real Madrid
The Mister had to rely on the young Raul Asencio or on Aurélien Tchouameni, who was repositioned to this position to be of service. Jesus Vallejo is also in the workforce but the Italian does not count on him at all. Recruit is therefore a necessity for the Iberian club, which had not strengthened after Nacho's departure last summer. However, Carlo Ancelotti was for, he who was ready to welcome Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr). But Florentino Pérez and his teams had not considered good to recruit in this position. A little less than a year later, everyone agrees to the club to say that it is imperative to buy a central defender. This Wednesday, the Daily Mail Also reveals the three players who make Real Madrid salivate.
There is Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), which has a release clause of € 60 million, and Jarrad Branthwaite, whose minimum starting price was set at € 90 million by Everton. The latter, under contract until 2027, also has a good rating in the Premier League. The third player who pleases Madrid is Ibrahima Konaté, who was at the end of the contract in 2026 in Liverpool. An opportunity on which the Merengues are ready to jump when he has still not extended. “I was offered a contract, yes. Close to sign it? This is another story! ”admitted the tricolor player last January. He is one of the defenders who are on the Real Madrid short-list, who is also very interested in William Saliba (Arsenal) as revealed by us. The idea of the Spanish club is to rejuvenate its defense and consolidate it, while enlarging its French colony already made up of Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavonga.
