Real Madrid will be eyeing Ligue 1 center back in 2021 window

Real Madrid could make a swoop for a young center back in the 2021 summer transfer window, and they have a few options.

Last summer, Real Madrid paid 50 million euros to sign Eder Militao, who could very well succeed Sergio Ramos as Raphael Varane’s center back partner in a couple of years. Militao had an excellent first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, showing his worth with big performances against Athletic Bilbao and even Manchester City.

But Militao’s presence won’t stop Real from continuing to identify and monitor the best young center backs in Europe. RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano is the dream, and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has only increased his reputation after a strong Europa League campaign.

There’s a third option worth watching closely, and that’s AS Monaco teenager Benoit Badiashile. Initially, it looked like Real Madrid could pursue the player this summer, but it’s now becoming clear that’s not realistic.

According to a report from Carlos Forjanes of AS, Monaco will not sell Badiashile this summer. They have received an offer of around 25 million euros from Manchester United, who could use the young center back, but they rejected it.

Real Madrid will have more money to spend on a Benoit Badiashile transfer

Badiashile had a solid 2019-2020 season in Ligue 1, but he could take a huge step forward in 2021. And that means Monaco would get compensated a whole lot better, especially since big clubs should have more to spend next summer.

Yes, Real Madrid will be one of those big clubs with more to spend. They can’t make major signings this year, and while Badiashile could have been an exception, Monaco’s desire to get more out of the center back is a sign that Real would have never gotten a discount anyway.

Next summer, Real can keep Badiashile on the shortlist and have another year of “film” to compare Badiashile, Kounde, and Upamecano as options. Militao should remain a key player to Los Blancos, but if the price is right, any of those three players would be worthy signings for manager Zinedine Zidane.