Real Madrid shift strategy after missing out on top defensive target – report

Real Madrid have found a new weapon to push for marquee signings in recent years. The club first push to find an agreement with the player and then ask the target to stay put on a move to Madrid while rejecting other offers.

The signings of Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni in recent years materialised in similar fashion with clubs eventually accepting Real Madrid’s relatively low offers.

Los Blancos once again attempted to deploy the same plan for Leny Yoro this summer as they refused to meet Lille’s €60 million asking price.

This time, however, the men in white were beaten in the race by Manchester United as the French centre-back simply could not hold on.

No signing in the position

With Nacho Fernandez and Rafa Marin leaving the club and David Alaba still injured, Carlo Ancelotti begins the new season with Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger as his only fit centre-backs.

Despite the dire circumstances, however, Real Madrid do not see the signing of a new centre-back this summer to be essential anymore according to reports from MARCA.

The club insist that there are reliable players in the academy who can cover for the newly-created void.

Moreover, Tchouameni has proven to be a reliable defender when forced to play in the position while Ferland Mendy is a handy option as well.

The Benzema situation

The offices in Madrid see the current centre-back situation to be similar to the position Real Madrid were in with the centre-forward position after Karim Benzema’s departure.

Despite not signing a world-class number nine after the Frenchman’s departure, Los Blancos managed the season brilliantly without breaking a sweat. Juggling limited resources, after all, is Ancelotti’s speciality.

With 50 days remaining on the market, it is not impossible that the men in white make at least a low-cost signing in the position.

However, they will not splash big money on an alternative for Yoro unless they see a long-term vision.