To complete the defense for coach Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid is targeting 4 quality central defenders. From the dream of William Saliba to the opportunity to recruit Ibrahima Konate, who will dock the Bernabeu for the rest of the summer transfer period 2025?
After the 2024/25 season with his hands and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 finals, the holes in the defense revealed a clearly revealed, Real Madrid had an active summer to rebuild. The appearance of the full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras, and center-back Dean Huijsen showed the determination of the Board of Directors. However, under the dynasty of coach Xabi Alonso and his favorite 3-5-2 diagram, another addition in the defense center is still essential to ensure depth and quality.
With the situation of old pillars such as David Alaba and Eder Militao constantly struggling with injuries, and doubts about the level of Raul Asencio, Real Madrid's aiming for another classy center -back is essential. Here are the four most prominent names that are in the sights of the Spanish royal team.
William Saliba
Arsenal's William Saliba is considered the most perfect piece for Xabi Alonso's defense. The French center -back owns the speed, strength, ability to read situations and the skill of handling the peak ball.
However, this is also the most difficult deal. Saliba is an irreplaceable pillar of Arsenal and coach Mikel Arteta has no reason to sell the club's pillar.
Although Saliba's contract is still valid until 2027, Arsenal is trying to accelerate the speed of negotiations in order to avoid “long night dreams”. But according to Marca newspaper, Saliba “is ready to sacrifice finance to join Real Madrid”.
At the present time, unless Real Madrid offer a “blockbuster” offer to refuse, bringing Saliba from London this summer is almost impossible.
Ibrahima Konate
Compared to Saliba, muscle foul for Real Madrid to own Ibrahima Konate more subtle. The situation of the French center -back in Liverpool is quite sensitive. His contract will expire in the next summer and the negotiations are really deadlocked.
Liverpool is facing a difficult choice: Selling Konate right now with a reasonable price, or facing the risk of losing him next year-a script they want to avoid after happening with Alexander-Arnold in the summer of 2025 (joining Real Madrid).
With seasoned experience in the Premier League and increasingly complete, Konate is a quality choice. Real Madrid is said to be ready to make an offer of about 30 million euros, an attractive figure for a player to only one contract. Now just waiting, Real dare to raise prices to own Konate or they will only exactly 30 million euros to “fight” with Liverpool.
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie stands out with fire and versatility. The Ecuador center -back can play well in the left -back center or left -back. Hincapie is very energetic in the defense, possessing strong and excellent ball switches in the double -handed phase. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, his ability to play football has improved significantly.
The versatility of Hincapie will be a valuable asset for Real Madrid. Real's chances in this deal are huge when the relationship between Alonso and Hincapie is very good. Hincapie individual also wants to find new challenges.
However, it is not easy for Real to get this player. First, Bayer Leverkusen lost important stars like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong so they were determined to keep the remaining pillars.
The next and also considered the most important. Hincapie's forte position is a left -defense defender, coinciding with the role of rookie Dean Huijsen. Having two quality players and competition for a position may not be the optimal plan.
Antonio Silva
Benfica's António Silva is the most reasonable plan for financially compared to the three players mentioned above. Pricing about 35 million euros, the 21 -year -old center -back is an investment for the future. Although young and sometimes make mistakes, the potential of Silva is undeniable.
Real Madrid has a good relationship with Benfica, and this will be a high quality backup plan if the top goals become impossible. Silva may not be a star but under the guidance of Alonso, it is likely that he will develop strongly and soon reach the peak.