Real Madrid finds themselves under mounting pressure to bolster their central defence as the summer transfer deadline draws near. With injuries plaguing key figures like Militao and Alaba, the club’s window to secure a top-class centre-back is rapidly closing.
🔍 Target Spotlight: Ibrahima Konaté
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté—who enters the final year of his contract—as a prime defensive target. Liverpool value him at around €50–60 million, but Madrid appears unwilling to meet that fee, with insiders suggesting they won’t expand their offer beyond €25 million. With only days left in the transfer window, time is running short to finalize any deal Reddit+2Reddit+2Cadena SER+2Yahoo Sports.
🛑 Saliba Option Likely Blocked
The club has also been monitoring William Saliba of Arsenal. Although widely regarded as one of Europe’s top young centre-backs, Saliba is firmly off-limits at his current valuation of €80 million, and Arsenal has shown no willingness to negotiate Diario AS.
🔄 Existing Reinforcements
Madrid has already completed moves for Trent Alexander‑Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras this summer. But with coach Xabi Alonso considering a back-three structure, both Konaté and Saliba remain on the radar—despite limited remaining roster slots by the LaLiga cap of 25 for next season Talksport+3Sportskeeda+3Diario AS+3.
🧱 Standing by Strategy
Despite acute defensive concerns, the club remains reluctant to divert from its long-term policy of investing only in top-tier young talents or players available on free transfers. Past offers for defenders like Manuel Akanji have been turned down, with the club preferring to trust younger alternatives or internal academy options bavarianfootballworks.com+15Sportskeeda+15Reddit+15.
Fellow former defender Nacho Fernández recently urged the club to trust in homegrown youth instead of rushing a January signing. But as the campaign approaches, Madrid must make a critical decision—or risk heading into next season dangerously exposed at the back