Real Madrid’s active start to the transfer market continues, with Marc Cucurella the last player confirmed to join the club. However, the Whites intend to stick with the deal and are expected to make another signing despite the addition of Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
At least that’s how Jose Mourinho likes it. Konate, Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries can already provide the Portuguese manager with fresh defensive support, but Mourinho has called for another central defender and another central midfielder in addition to Bernardo Silva. Their centre-back room currently consists of Antonio Rudiger, who also extended his contract this week, Raul Asensio, Eder Militao and Dean Huyssen.
Real Madrid center back candidate list
According to a report from The Athletic, Real Madrid have three names on their shortlist for the centre-back position. Barcelona’s other target, Alessandro Bastoni, is also among them, although Inter have repeatedly announced that he will remain at the club this summer. Mourinho had initially considered Josko Gvardiol and Riccardo Calafioli, but relations between them have soured.
Two other options being considered are Manchester City veteran Ruben Dias and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. The latter has signed a contract extension with Dortmund, but his contract with Los Blancos reportedly comes with a €60 million release clause, while Dias still has three years left on his contract.
Could Dias leave Manchester City this summer?
Dias, 29, has been a key player for City since joining from Benfica in 2020, but having achieved everything at the Etihad, he could be tempted by a new challenge under compatriot Jose Mourinho. Given his age, City are probably close to their last chance to sell Dias for a hefty sum. It probably depends on how Enzo Maresca sees him and what role he plays in his projects.
