According to the latest report from The Athletic, Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements. Carlo Ancelotti pushed to sign Alexis Mac Allister during his tenure as manager, but a deal never materialized.
Madrid’s hierarchy believe the squad is strong and complete enough to compete for every remaining trophy, with the club only left contending in La Liga and the Champions League.
The club has rejected all player proposals submitted by various agents and held no negotiations over any transfers. As early as last summer, then-manager Xabi Alonso had asked the club to bring in more signings.
Real Madrid already spent €180 million last year on Carreras, Huijsen, Mastantuono and Arnold, and it is widely agreed the club still needs at least one centre-back and one deep-lying playmaker.
At centre-back, Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão have been plagued by injuries, a clear consequence of Madrid’s congested fixture schedule. Heylen has suffered two muscle strains, while Raúl Asencio has featured for weeks on end despite struggling with fitness.
The midfield also lacks creative spark. Alonso requested a new midfielder last summer, and following his dismissal, sources close to him complained the club had not provided the necessary resources for him to fully implement his vision.
In midfield, Real Madrid hold high admiration for Vitinha and Enzo Fernández, but signing them is financially unfeasible. Vitinha renewed his contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2029 last year and is a key player for the French club.
Relations between Real Madrid and Chelsea are also strained. While Enzo Fernández may harbour a desire to play for Real Madrid one day, he is under contract with Chelsea until 2032, and the Blues have no intention of selling him.
Carlo Ancelotti formally asked the Real Madrid board to sign Alexis Mac Allister—now at Liverpool—during his time in charge. Although a move never came to fruition, those close to Ancelotti have spoken positively about the proposal.
The 27-year-old Argentina midfielder is a fan favourite at Liverpool, with his contract running until 2028—a factor that could make a future transfer possible. Nico Paz is attracting strong interest and is highly likely to return to Real Madrid this summer.
This is not only the club’s stance but also a common expectation across football. Potential suitors have backed away due to Real Madrid’s dominant position, and the club can exercise a buy-back clause for around €9 million in June.
Other highly-rated targets include Sven Mijnans of AZ Alkmaar and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. AZ are seeking a transfer fee in the region of €60 million for Mijnans.
Real Madrid have entrusted super-agent Jorge Mendes to conduct negotiations on their behalf. The club held contacts with both players last summer, though Mijnans now appears the preferred option.
Madrid also know they must finalise a decision soon on Dani Carvajal, whose contract expires in June with his future uncertain. Should the 34-year-old right-back depart, the position will need reinforcing.
Endrick has joined Lyon on loan, with the deal containing no obligatory buy clause. Real Madrid hold high expectations for him and are puzzled by his limited game time under Xabi Alonso. The player is eager for regular minutes to prove his quality, so his representatives will reassess his situation in the summer transfer window.
Left-back Fran García is under contract until 2027 but is currently fourth-choice in his position, making a departure possible. He had hoped to join Bournemouth on loan in January, only for Real Madrid to block the move.
The same applies to 29-year-old Dani Ceballos, who was open to leaving if his former club Real Betis made an offer in January. He has requested to depart in each of the past two summers, and a similar push is expected again this year.
Betis are his preferred destination, but no club can afford Real Madrid’s asking price and his annual wage of around €4.5 million.
David Alaba’s contract expires at the end of June, and he is expected to leave, as the club has no plans to extend his deal.
Real Madrid’s financial position remains healthy, with sufficient funds to invest in the squad. However, aside from last summer, the club has been reluctant to sell players in recent years. While player departures could ease financial pressure, the club is resistant, believing no players want to leave.