Real Madrid showing interest in a new young center back target

Real Madrid are seemingly set to bring in David Alaba on a free transfer, which is a deal that Florentino Perez likely saw as too good to pass up on. How that affects Sergio Ramos’ future remains to be seen, but Madridistas hope that the club can hold onto Ramos while still bringing in the versatile and world-class Alaba.

At the same time, Real Madrid have to be prepared for anything in the future, and that is why they are showing interest in young center backs who could be long-term options for the club. Jules Kounde is the ideal option, and Real continue to be linked with him.

But Kounde is not the only young center back on their radar, nor was Dayot Upamecano, who chose to sign with Bayern Munich after the season’s conclusion.

According to a report from Marco Ruiz of AS, Real Madrid are “monitoring” 21-year-old center back David Carmo, who is arguably the most touted central defender outside of Europe’s top five leagues. The report states that Carmo was close to joining Liverpool this winter, but the Reds did not want to meet SC Braga’s evaluation of a 25 million euro option-to-buy at the end of the season. (Liverpool wanted the option to be for 20 million.)

David Carmo would be much cheaper for Real Madrid than Jules Kounde

So in comparison to Kounde, whose release clause is around 80 million euros, Carmo is a cheaper option. He is not quite as proven nor as talented, but he is an excellent young center back in his own right. There is no need for Madridistas to turn their noses down at Liga NOS either. We have seen what former target Bruno Fernandes has done in the Premier League, after all.

Real Madrid signed another center back from Portugal’s top flight a couple of years ago, paying 50 million euros for Eder Militao. He looks like he can be a great solution for the team in the future, so signing David Carmo might not make much sense if Real keep Ramos or replace him with Alaba. They can just develop Militao and maybe even a Castilla guy like Victor Chust or the even more promising Pablo Ramon.

Carmo, per WhoScored.com, is averaging more than 1.5 interceptions per game in both Liga NOS and the Europa League this season. He has a lot of talent and would not be out of place at a club like Real Madrid, though there would be a necessary growth curve to start, as has been the case with Militao. But with playing time scarce in Madrid, Carmo is more of a periphery option to monitor and nothing more.