William Saliba in the spotlight
Real Madrid has made significant investments to bolster their defensive lineup this summer, but they may still be in the market for an additional centre-back. Last season, their defensive weaknesses were glaringly exposed, leading to an imbalanced squad. To remedy this, they have recruited three new players, including full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras, as well as emerging centre-back talent Dean Huijsen. Despite these additions, the Spanish giants may consider further reinforcements to support Huijsen’s integration into the squad.
Xabi Alonso utilized a preferred 3-5-2 formation during the Club World Cup, a strategy that requires more depth in the centre-back position, which Madrid currently lacks. With five senior centre-backs on the roster, there are serious concerns about several players’ form and fitness. David Alaba and Éder Militão have struggled with injuries, making just 31 appearances between them in the last two seasons. Additionally, Raúl Asencio’s capabilities remain in question, compounded by serious off-field allegations against him. As such, we’ve assessed four potential centre-back targets as Madrid looks to add to their defensive ranks this summer.
Four Centre-Back Targets for Real Madrid
William Saliba is the dream centre-back target for Madrid, although securing him from Arsenal this summer poses a substantial challenge. The French defender has expressed a desire to stay in North London, and his current contract runs until 2027, with no agreement on an extension in sight. Spanish outlet Marca has reported that Saliba is ‘willing to make a financial sacrifice to join Madrid.’ Despite the ongoing speculation, the 24-year-old is likely to remain at Arsenal, and it would take a remarkable offer for Mikel Arteta to consider selling him. Madrid may instead bide their time, hoping that Saliba’s contract negotiations stall, which would allow them a chance in the coming year.
Additionally, there are persistent rumors linking Madrid with a move for Ibrahima Konaté. The 26-year-old’s contract at Liverpool expires next summer, creating a dilemma for the club about whether to sell now or risk losing him for free. Although there have been discussions regarding a new contract, no agreement has been reached, leaving Liverpool in a tough spot, especially after the departure of Alexander-Arnold. Konaté is recognized as one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League, with a market valuation of €60 million. However, Liverpool would struggle to fetch that amount, and Madrid may only be willing to offer around €30 million.
Madrid has also been strongly linked with Piero Hincapié this summer. However, reports regarding a €60 million release clause are reportedly inaccurate. Erik ten Hag has emphasized that Bayer Leverkusen is keen on keeping their key players after losing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong. Hincapié, who has over 150 top-flight games under his belt at just 23 years old, joined the Bundesliga in 2021 from CA Talleres for only €6.35 million. While he is a talented left-footed player, his preferred position overlaps with Huijsen’s role as a left centre-back.
Lastly, António Silva presents a more budget-friendly option than the others. Earlier reports suggested that Benfica might accept an offer around €35 million. Despite some strains in their relationship due to Carreras’ transfer complications, Madrid has historically negotiated well with the Portuguese club. The 21-year-old has encountered some challenges but remains an exceptional prospect, already amassing 17 caps for Portugal. Silva offers a potential bargain for Madrid, especially if their top targets are out of reach.
