Real Madrid is in desperate need for defense reinforcements this summer as the club is keen on strengthening their rearguard ahead of the upcoming season. The board has already started looking at some high-priced transfer targets, but the club is being cautious in regards to its budget, particularly when it comes to high-quality center-backs.
Top Defensive Signings for Real Madrid
One of the first big defensive signings to the team will be Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose signing will undoubtedly strengthen Los Blancos' defense. Nevertheless, the club is still in pursuit of a new center-back to top their defensive overhaul. The problem, however, is the exorbitant prices of the top defenders in the market, and Real Madrid will not splurge on one individual.
Real Madrid Transfer Plan for Central Defenders
Real Madrid are pursuing two Premier League defensive greats: William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate. Both of them have been key players for their teams and rated highly for their defensive abilities. However, as MARCA informs us, Real Madrid will not pay the €100 million price tag for each player currently.
Real Madrid's Strategy: Patience Over Panic
Instead of spending money on experienced defenders like Konate and Saliba, Real Madrid's management is going about things in a more calculated way. They are willing to wait out these defenders until they exhaust their contracts and sign on as free transfers, something that has worked in the recent past. Real Madrid has benefited from doing so, signing high-profile players like Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba on free transfers.
This has been a mainstay of Real Madrid's transfer policy in recent months. As more and more players are willing to let their contracts expire, Los Blancos have been able to sign top-class players without spending a fortune on transfer fees. The latest example of this is Alexander-Arnold, who has agreed to leave Liverpool, but whose official transfer to Real Madrid has yet to be announced.
Saliba and Konate's Transfer Situation
While Saliba and Konate are on Real Madrid's wish list, there is limited possibility that the two will be making the move to the Spanish capital anytime soon. Both are already contracted to long-term deals, with Saliba tied down at Arsenal through 2027 and Konate at Liverpool until 2026. With both players having their long-term deals, a move for either next season is remote unless their situations change significantly.
Conclusion
The policy of Madrid not blowing big money on center-backs William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate is a piece of an all-encompassing, long-term transfer plan. The club is banking on the ability to buy the greatest players when they are about to let their current contract expire, to avoid paying inflated prices in an otherwise still-bubbly transfer market. For the moment, both Konate and Saliba are distant possibilities, but with Real Madrid's history, it's evident they know when to make their moves.
By bringing these defensive targets into their larger plans, Real Madrid is setting itself up for long-term success, adhering to a philosophy of shrewd purchases over expensive indulgences.
