Real Madrid started their season in style on Wednesday, as they won their sixth UEFA Super Cup by defeating Atalanta 2-0 in Warsaw. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be hoping that is the first of many titles won in 2024-25, and for that to happen, their defence will need to be at its best.
They managed it last season despite only having two senior centre-backs for the majority of the campaign, following ACL injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba. The latter is still unavailable, meaning that Ancelotti only has Antonio Rudiger, Militao and the previously-forgotten Jesus Vallejo as senior options in the position.
Despite this, Real Madrid will not go out of their way to sign another central defender. If they were to make an addition, it would be Aymeric Laporte – but only if the Euro 2024 winner arrives as a free agent. This could be difficult, as Al-Nassr do not want to let him go for free, especially as he was signed for €27m last summer.
Laporte is desperate to negotiate a contract termination in order to join Real Madrid, and the reigning Champions League champions are prepared to retain their interest until the summer transfer window closes later this month, as per Diario AS.
There’s no doubt that Laporte would be a fantastic addition to Ancelotti’s squad, especially if he were to come without a transfer fee attached. However, the chances of Real Madrid getting him this summer are still very slim, and it will continue to be this way until Al-Nassr change their stance.
