Real Madrid readies plans A, B and C for defensive reinforcement

The top brass almost unanimously ruled out the signing of Sergio Ramos, with other names emerging.

Sergio Ramos will not be returning to Real Madrid. That’s settled. But a centre-back will be coming in January. That, too, is settled.

These are intense times at Chamartín: meetings, discussions, and calls. There is movement because there must be movement. Since Militao’s injury (an ACL tear, nine months out), signing a centre-back has become non-negotiable. It’s urgent. And in this short time, two decisions have already been made: Ramos won’t return, and they won’t sign a temporary fix either.

Ramos is not Madrid’s solution

All signs point to January, when a long-term signing will be made. Painful or not, they’re prepared to spend. The goal is to secure an established center-back, ready to perform immediately and with potential for the future. The radar has been narrowed down to three names: Laporte, Lukeba, and Tah. It will be one of these three. Not Ramos.

The decision was made on Sunday afternoon. Initially, the club considered signing a free agent, as that would allow for an immediate addition. And it’s urgent. But none of the available options were deemed to meet Real Madrid’s standards. Only their former captain… with caveats. But, after all, it’s Sergio Ramos. The voices calling for reconciliation, urging that this is the moment to bury the hatchet and reunite, have been growing louder. But not within the management.

The leadership, almost unanimously, decided otherwise. He will not return. They view his chapter at the club as closed, and believe it’s best to preserve his legacy as it is. At the very top. They feel he’s no longer suited for this level of demand. Ramos, can I repeat enough, will not be returning to Real Madrid.

Tah enters Madrid’s scene

The decision has been made: the signing will happen in January. And here is where two new developments have emerged. First, the shortlist has been narrowed down (from four names to three), and second, a new candidate has appeared. This is Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back and Rüdiger’s partner in the national team (although Schlotterbeck has been challenging his position since the Euros).

He’s liked, he fits. He’s 28 years old, right-footed, and stands 1.95 meters tall. But there’s a key factor in his equation: his contract ends in 2025, so Madrid could play the card of signing him for free in the summer, which could lower his price in January. In any case, he is not the priority but is ranked ahead of Vitor Reis and Valentín Gómez, whose candidacies have been moved to the background.

Laporte should lower his salary

Now it’s between Laporte, Lukeba and Tah. In that order. Madrid continue to think that the player who best fits is Ayme, but the operation is at a crossroads.

Convincing Al Nassr to let him go, without having to make the outlay they are asking for (around $15-20 million), is proving to be an almost impossible mission. The player is in favour of leaving Saudi Arabia and flying to Spain, but he should also reduce his salary: he earns eight million ‘clean’ per season. Madrid cannot give him that, although they do promise a high figure.

In the end he is an international, a starter for Spain and with, still, several years of good football ahead of him. The operation appears perfect, but not simple.

Lukeba, price problem

Real Madrid is considering Castello Lukeba as a potential long-term reinforcement for their defense, given his age of 21. The club is open to offering him a five- or six-year contract. However, Lukeba recently extended his contract with RB Leipzig until 2029, and his release clause will rise to around $90 million this summer. While Leipzig acknowledges they won’t demand the full clause amount, they still expect a significantly high fee.

Madrid is prepared to make a substantial investment in January but aims to avoid excessive spending. For instance, the club did not exceed $35 million for Leny Yoro, considering that a reasonable amount for a centre-back. Lukeba fits their profile, but there are complexities to address.

Real Madrid will sign a centre-back in January

Once the decision is made, it’s time to get to work. The approach will follow the usual Real Madrid style: working quietly, behind the scenes, with discretion. This is how the club operates, even in the winter market, which historically is not its favourite, often feeling like a lottery – almost like the Christmas raffle. But the path is clear. Plan A: Laporte. Plan B: Lukeba. Plan C: Tah.

These choices were finalised in recent hours, along with the near-unanimous decision to rule out a return for Sergio Ramos. He will not be coming back. That chapter is closed. Full stop on that matter. Los Blancos will sign a center-back in January. One of those three. The machinery is in motion.