Real Madrid doesn’t have a particularly large squad, which has been evident since the season began. Federico Valverde and Luka Modric are their only healthy midfielders. The situation is similarly dire in defense, with Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao as the sole natural center-backs available until David Alaba returns from his ACL injury, possibly not until 2025.
Real Madrid has struggled with their central defense since the start of last season. Throughout the 2023–24 campaign, Carlo Ancelotti often had only Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez to choose from, leading to Aurelien Tchouameni being used in that role multiple times. They will want to find a more permanent solution moving forward.
During the summer, Real Madrid attempted to sign Leny Yoro, but he opted for Manchester United instead. Interestingly, they did not seek an alternative, so this issue is likely to be revisited in 2025.
It will be intriguing to see who, if anyone, is pursued at that time. The ideal candidate would be a player suitable for long-term use, much like Yoro would have been. It’s important to note that both Rudiger and Alaba are nearing 30, meaning they will need to be replaced in the coming years. Regardless, a new center-back is essential.
Recently, there has been speculation about signing William Saliba, and Real Madrid would be fortunate to acquire him. He is an excellent candidate for a transfer due to his youth, relative anonymity, and potential for growth.
The only downside is his hefty price tag. Reports indicate that Arsenal would demand over €120 million for him. If Real Madrid were to pay slightly more, it would set a new record for the club, surpassing the approximately €120 million paid for Eden Hazard.
It would be an obvious choice for Real Madrid if they had the funds to meet the asking price and could agree on personal terms with Saliba. He is already among the world’s top central defenders and will only improve in the coming years—something everyone at Los Blancos recognizes.
It’s understandable that Saliba would be significantly more expensive than someone like Yoro, given his higher profile. However, Real Madrid has the financial capacity to sign him, especially since their summer spending has been limited. Investing a substantial amount would surely be worthwhile.
