The Real Madrid season is entering its decisive phase. Today the Whites are playing for a place in the final to win the first title of the season at the end of this month. The Whites face Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu in search of a place in the Copa del Rey final.
After that game and with almost no time to think about what happened, it’s time to get back to work in the fight for the league title that is being played out head-to-head with Barça. A league game in which they will face Valencia, but with their eyes already on their quarter-final first leg against Arsenal.
A busy schedule on the pitch and a packed agenda in the offices where it is already time to work intensively on planning for the summer months, taking into account the Club World Cup. Real Madrid must work on both renewals and the signing of new players to improve the squad.
Alexander-Arnold, the first
In this search for new reinforcements, the first on the list and one that already seems to have been completed is right back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The English footballer has been one of the season’s longest-running soap operas due to his possible signing for Real Madrid, and the outcome is getting closer to being clarified. Trent Alexander-Arnold will end up at the Santiago Bernabéu, barring a major surprise.
Real Madrid and Alexander-Arnold have reportedly reached an agreement for the player to join the Santiago Bernabéu. He would earn 15 million euros a year and also receive a signing bonus. The contract would be for five or six seasons.
The English footballer usually plays as a right back, so his place in the starting eleven will depend on Carvajal’s return and his form. Alexander-Arnold is a player with great potential, an attacking full back who can bring depth and important things to the Whites’ attack, but his defensive level has always been in question.
A clear objective in defense
Real Madrid have had a season plagued by defensive injuries that have exposed the Whites’ shortcomings and needs. In addition, the Whites want to go to the market to rejuvenate a defense with too much experience. Rüdiger turns 32 in March and Alaba 33 in June, which could also be motivating Real Madrid’s sounding out the market for central defenders. In this sense, names have been mentioned with the common denominator of youth: Branthwaite, 22; Castello Lukeba, 22; William Saliba, 24; Ibrahima Konaté, 25; Jorrel Hato and the one who has been mentioned the most, Dean Huijsen.
Real Madrid had no plans to strengthen their defense this summer. On the one hand, there are many candidates to rejuvenate the defense, while on the other hand, if the Whites manage to get the best out of Alaba and Militao, next season they could have four very reliable central defenders, the two mentioned above, Asencio and Rudiger.
As we were saying, on the list of possible signings there is one who stands out above the rest, Dean Huijsen, a Bournemouth player. The young Dutch centre back, who grew up in Spain, impressed with his performance in the Nations League with the Spanish national team in the play-off against the Netherlands. Defensive ability, mastery of the aerial game and ability to get the ball out of the back make him a very attractive prospect on the European market.
Lowering the cost of Huijsen
With the aim of lowering the cost of the Huijsen deal, Real Madrid has seen a great opportunity to do so in Endrick and Güler. Both young players could be loaned out. This move would also benefit both players, who have not managed to play as many minutes as expected this season. This would be one of the alternatives being considered by Real Madrid to sign the centre back.