Ancelotti and Real Madrid board in disagreement over transfer stance – report

Coming into the summer transfer window, Real Madrid had made the signing of a new centre-back, in particular Leny Yoro, a top priority, alongside the acquisitions of Kylian Mbappe and Alphonso Davies.

While Mbappe arrived, Davies seems likely to stay at Bayern Munich for one more year before making his way to the Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent.

As for Yoro, he ended up signing for Manchester United this summer, delivering a blow to Real Madrid’s well-laid-out transfer plans.

Once the French prodigy moved to the Premier League, Real Madrid decided not to pursue another centre-half and make do with the current squad even though they are light on numbers at the heart of the defence.

Ancelotti, board not in agreement

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has come out and stated in public that the squad for the season is closed and there will be no more signings.

However, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, the Italian tactician is still of the belief that the signing of a new centre-back is essential to achieve the team’s objectives this season.

But the Real Madrid board does not see things the same way as the administration believes that the squad is more than ready to compete for major honours again this season.

As things stand, Los Blancos have only two fit senior centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, with the latter coming back from an ACL injury last season.

David Alaba’s recovery is going slower than anticipated and Jesus Vallejo has been far from convincing. Meanwhile, youngster Joan Martinez, who impressed in pre-season, also out with an ACL injury.

Given the situation, it is understandable as to why Ancelotti might see it as a necessity to sign another centre-back, especially considering how things went last season with regard to injuries.

But the Real Madrid board is confident that the squad is good enough to compete and does not see the need for another centre-back.

If no defender is signed, we could see Ancelotti return to using Aurelien Tchouameni at the back when needed while Castilla’s Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencio might also get chances.