Real Madrid has made a decision that is nothing more than surrendering to the evidence and listening to coach Xabi Alonso’s request that a center back is needed. The defense has not performed well throughout the season, and although the arrival of Dean Huijsen has improved the team’s performance, there are many doubts surrounding the injuries of players such as Eder Militao, Rüdiger, and Alaba. In addition, confidence in Asencio has been lost, which opens the door to a signing, with Konaté and William Saliba remaining the options.
Konaté, a more affordable option
Ibrahima Konaté has always been at the top of the list because of his talent, but also because his contractual situation with Liverpool is conducive to a move. The center back has entered the final year of his contract with the Reds and seems determined to leave the English club to join Santiago Bernabéu, just as his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold did. The situation is very similar, as the Frenchman would arrive for free in June next year.
Aware of this situation, Liverpool prefers to do business and make a profit by letting him go this summer. In this regard, Real Madrid is willing to make an offer for the player in the coming weeks, but, a priori, it does not seem likely to come to fruition due to the English club’s financial demands. They want at least €50 million, while the Whites, aware that he will arrive for free in a few months, do not want to go above €20-25 million.
Saliba likes the move and is willing to make sacrifices
Something similar, although more complex, is happening with the other center back who has caught Real Madrid’s eye. We are talking about William Saliba. Unlike his compatriot, the Arsenal center back’s contract does not expire until 2027, which would raise his price if Real Madrid wanted to sign him this summer.
L’Équipe reported meetings between Real Madrid executives and the center back’s entourage to begin laying the groundwork for a future arrival, and the truth is that his signing would not be exclusive to that of the Liverpool player. In addition, MARCA reports that William Saliba is willing to make a financial effort to sign for Real Madrid. The club is also increasingly motivated to sign him.
Although there is talk that Andrea Berta wants to renew his contract until 2032, the signing of Valencia’s Christian Mosquera by the London club and the Frenchman’s desire to move to the Santiago Bernabéu could open the door to negotiations. Next season is the final year of his contract, which could make things easier. Saliba is 6’3″ tall and has tremendous power. He is good in the air, strong in the tackle, and good with the ball, something that would convince Xabi Alonso.
Now or next summer, that is the question
In both cases, his arrival next summer seems easier and more feasible for Real Madrid, who do not want to waste money and, in any case, could also wait for the January transfer window and see how things go. The final decision has yet to be made, but the arrival of a new signing this summer cannot be ruled out, given the situation in defense and with Xabi pushing in that direction. The thing about all the signings being considered by the Whites is that they need to lighten the squad, and that chapter on departures, beyond rumors, is still very much up in the air.