Madrid waits on Alaba’s fitness before deciding on a new defender
Real Madrid have a conundrum at the center-back position that they were able to navigate gracefully in 2023/24, but with a full season ahead, Los Blancos may not want to leave themselves so thin at such an important position.
As it stands right now, with club icon Nacho Fernandez headed to Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid has just two healthy center-backs in the first-team squad. Those two players are Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, who quite literally are the best big-game center-back pairing in the Champions League.
Beyond them, Real Madrid would have to rely on emergency options again without any new signings, and while Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy can excel in central defense in LaLiga matches, this setup isn’t ideal for a club of Madrid’s stature.
But after striking out on Leny Yoro, who moved to Manchester United for an obscene 60 million euros despite having an expiring contract, Real Madrid doesn’t have many enticing options on the transfer market this summer.
According to a report from MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid’s entire transfer strategy at the center back position will be predicated upon the recovery of another standout center back who hasn’t been mentioned yet, David Alaba.
A 2021 free agent signing, Alaba was crucial to Real Madrid winning the Champions League but has since faded due to declining play and an ACL tear last season.
Alaba is still in recovery with no timetable for return, and Real Madrid have to be concerned about both the Austrian’s slow recovery and his advancing age at 32.
If Alaba’s recovery continues to stall, it looks like it would behoove Real Madrid to make a move at center back, with another young target wanted by Manchester United, Antonio Silva, looking like an enticing candidate at a potentially discounted rate.
Silva, by the way, was linked to Real Madrid in the preceding winter transfer window after Alaba’s injury, but the club decided not to spend on any CB. At a reduced rate and with Alaba still hurt, Silva could perhaps make more sense now in the summer.
However, if Alaba can recover by October or November, as many expect, and be fully ready for 2025 when the Champions League knockouts begin, it looks like Real Madrid will not spend on a center back.
