In a few months the intense season will come to an end for Real Madrid, Barça and Bayern Munich. All three have made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are continuing on their way to the final. In addition, the Whites and the Blaugranas are fighting for the league and cup titles. An intense end to the season, then, but they also coincide in a need you have for the transfer market: the search for a right back.
The right back, a problem for Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s season has been characterized by irregular performances, largely due to the absences and poor performances of some of their players. The ‘fantastic’ men up front are not firing on all cylinders and their lack of punch is affecting the team, as is their lack of commitment in defense, which has led to several confrontations in the middle of games. Just this week in the Champions League match against Atlético de Madrid, Bellingham was ostensibly arguing with Vinicius.
The Whites’ biggest problem this season has undoubtedly been in defense. A defense weighed down by injuries and in which the performance of some of its players has been highly questioned. One of the most problematic positions, although also the one that has uncovered a star, has been right back. Dani Carvajal suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, rupture of the external collateral ligament and rupture of the popliteal tendon in his right leg on October 6th. The player is expected to be available for next season, but it is anyone’s guess how he will return and whether he will be able to return to the level he was performing at.
In his absence, the club placed its trust in Lucas Vázquez. The Galician full-back has been surpassed by an excellent Fede Valverde who has exposed the poor performance of the Cuntis-born player. The loss of Carvajal and the lack of signings by Florentino Pérez have allowed him to take the starting position on the right wing, but his numbers show what happens to Ancelotti’s team with him on the field. In all of Ancelotti’s defeats this season, except for the Champions League match against Lille, Lucas Vázquez was in the starting lineup.
Real Madrid are looking for a right back for next season. Carvajal’s injury and the level of Lucas Vázquez, whose future is also up in the air, have made strengthening this position a priority. Looking ahead to next season, and already in the winter, they have considered signing Alexander Arnold. Real Madrid remain absolutely convinced and confident that they can bring Trent to the club in the summer on a free transfer.
Barça needs competition for Koundé
The eternal rival of the Whites, FC Barcelona, also wants to reinforce the right back position, but for a very different reason. The Azulgranas already have a permanent man in the position in the form of Frenchman Jules Koundé. The problem is that his natural replacement on the bench, Héctor Fort, does not have the approval of Hansi Flick, who is not convinced by him.
In addition to looking for competition for one of the best full-backs in the world today, Koundé, Barça is sounding out the market in case a strong offer arrives for the Frenchman, who is attracting interest in the Premier League. Teams like Chelsea and Manchester United are closely following the player.
Diogo Dalot, on the radar
In the search for that key piece for their squads, Real Madrid and Barça, joined by Bayern, have set their sights on the same player. All three have set their sights on Diodo Dalot, a Manchester United player who scored in Thursday’s win over Real Sociedad to secure his team’s place in the next round of the Europa League, something they need given their poor season in the Premier League.
A season in which the defender has played a whopping 43 matches. The center back stands out for his defensive qualities and his ability to join in the attack, but also for his versatility (he can play on the left flank and in more advanced positions). The player has a contract in force until June 2028 and United could demand a minimum of €50 million for their player, although their complicated economic situation could lead them to facilitate his departure.