Defending for Real Madrid has been a real headache for Carlo Ancelotti throughout the season. Real Madrid’s Italian coach has been talking all season about the balance that his team cannot find.
The problems have come in the form of injury, but also the poor performance of several of the players. With the full backs more than questioned and the signings in progress, there are doubts at the heart of the defense, with only one thing clear: Asencio will be the new leader of the defense. There are many doubts and a clear objective in view of the seniority of the central defenders.
Reinforce and rejuvenate the defense
Real Madrid has had a season marked by injuries, mainly in defense, which has been a real headache for Carlo Ancelotti. Without Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao for the whole season, the coach has also had to deal with the losses of Rüdiger, Alaba, Lucas Vázquez, Mendy, Fran García…
With this panorama that has exposed the deficiencies and needs of the Whites, Real Madrid wants to go to the market to reinforce their defense, the main objective being to sign a central defender. In addition, the Whites want to go to the market to rejuvenate 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: Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), 19 years old; Jorrel Hato, 19 years old; Branthwaite, 22 years old; Castello Lukeba, 22 years old; William Saliba, 24 years old; Ibrahima Konaté, 25 years old.
Real Madrid want William Saliba
Real Madrid are said to have had Saliba in their sights as a possible signing in recent months. Of course, for the footballer to leave the Emirates Stadium, a very large financial offer would have to be made, one that would make him the most expensive centre-back in history. Real Madrid like Saliba, but it would not be a short-term operation.
Fabrizio Romano has indicated in recent weeks that the Chamartín club have not, for the moment, taken any steps to recruit the Arsenal defender. : “Real Madrid like Saliba, we mentioned it; but there is nothing more to say at the moment. There are no talks or negotiations, he is a key player for Arsenal and nothing is really happening apart from appreciating one of the best defenders in the world”.
Arsenal make a move to shield Saliba from the threat of Real Madrid
Arsenal are clear about their intentions and want to tie down their defensive star, William Saliba, for the long term. That is why the Gunners are preparing a contract offer for the Frenchman which, if accepted, would make him one of the highest paid players in the team. Arsenal’s juicy proposal comes amid growing interest from Real Madrid. In England, in fact, there is already talk of a minimum price of 90 million euros, a figure that Real Madrid is not willing to reach. Sources close to the club say that Arsenal is not only offering an elite salary, but also an ambitious sporting project that would make Saliba a pillar of the team in its fight for titles.
Real Madrid’s plan
Real Madrid wants to get a move on to recruit the promising Arsenal defender. The Chamartín outfit are willing to wait a couple of years to sign him. The Madrid directors intend to repeat the same strategy they used with Kylian Mbappé and which they are currently using with Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is to say, to wait for the player’s contract to expire so that they can sign him without having to negotiate with his club of origin.