Real Madrid have found an interesting defensive midfield alternative in the Premier League

Real Madrid have seemingly identified Eduardo Camavinga, Houssem Aouar, and Paul Pogba as their top midfield targets, but what if they sign someone else?

As we have seen this season with injuries mounting, Real Madrid need more midfield depth. Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Martin Odegaard are five of the best midfielders in all of Europe, but Real have precious little beyond them.

Hopefully next season, Antonio Blanco will be ready to shine as a regular contributor, but between the other Castilla prospects and Arsenal’s Dani Ceballos, he is the only person who could conceivably be a long-term asset for Los Blancos.

Real did not make any signings this past summer, but they will almost certainly have to sign a midfielder in 2021. Eduardo Camavinga is easily at the top of the list due to his age and current ability, but Houssem Aouar is another standout young midfielder, even if he isn’t as good defensively. And Paul Pogba remains a dream signing for Zinedine Zidane – for good reason, too – though the asking price is the sticking point.

If Los Blancos need a backup plan either for financial or logistical reasons, Defensa Central’s Toni Pons reports that Zinedine Zidane “likes” Brighton’s breakout star in midfield, Yves Bissouma.

The 24-year-old could be a good backup defensive midfielder for Casemiro, as he’s recorded 3.3 tackles per game this season, per WhoScored.com, to go with 1.5 dribbles completed per game offensively. Defensa Central writes that Arsenal and Liverpool have interest in Bissouma, so he is on the radar of other notable clubs.

Bissouma is a quality player, but he’s older than both Camavinga and Aouar. He’s also not nearly as accomplished as either of them, though it is true that he’s in a tougher situation as a starter for Brighton than someone playing for teams that have been at a Champions League or Europa League level.

While Bissouma could be cheaper than either Aouar or Camavinga, since he is a Premier League player with interest from other clubs in that league, he may not be that much cheaper than either Ligue 1 star. So Real Madrid may be signing a player who is a little older and not as gifted on the ball for a price that isn’t a sufficient enough discount. That said, if their priority is defending and Bissouma does end up being relatively cheap, he could be an interesting transfer target. He is, of course, younger and cheaper than Pogba.

Bissouma is a player to keep watching as he continues to shine this season, but there may be better alternatives or work-arounds for Real Madrid.