Real Madrid will wait until the final days to sign defenders

Real Madrid have been left to reassess their plans in defence for next season, after the surprise decision of Leny Yoro to join Manchester United rather than wait for Los Blancos caught them off guard. The line since has been that they will not react rashly in the transfer market.

However it has been said that they will consider ‘market opportunities’ should they arise, one of which mentioned has been Aymeric Laporte, although it seems likely that this will only happen if he drops his wage demands. It seems their decision will hinge mostly on the injured David Alaba, as revealed by Marca.

Should the Austrian’s recovery go smoothly from here, and his return continues to be projected for October or November, then they will not move for another central defender. If it looks as though it will be prolonged further, then they will look at what they can do in the market, although ‘without urgency’. In the coming three weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will also keep an extra close eye on the academy prospects in the position such as Raul Asencio, Jacobo Ramon and Joan Martinez to see if they might make the grade next season.

Alaba was injured in early January of 2024, but is anterior cruciate ligament suffered complications too, making his recovery longer than the likes of Eder Militao or Thibaut Courtois in all likelihood. At 32, Alaba is expected to be a key part of their defensive core competing with Militao and Antonio Rudiger next season.