Real Madrid Transfers: 3 under-the-radar defensive midfielders to watch

Real Madrid will spend the vast majority of their financial resources on forward help in the summer 2021 transfer window, but that doesn’t mean their only needs are attacking. Los Blancos may be in the market for center back or fullback depth. But their biggest depth issues may be in midfield after the club did not even make any stopgap signings in 2020.

Casemiro, in particular, could use some relief as the only defensive midfielder in the squad. Antonio Blanco could be ready to make a leap, but that is not guaranteed.

So here are three defensive midfielders Real Madrid fans should keep an eye on before the summer transfer window opens.

Celta Vigo DM Renato Tapia

We begin with Celta Vigo’s breakout star, Renato Tapia. You can make the case that he is now Vigo’s second-most important player after the legendary Iago Aspas, because his tireless defensive works enables the “block” of Celta’s attackers to roam freely.

The Peruvian midfielder isn’t much of a chance-creator at all with just one assist in the 2020-2021 La Liga campaign. But he’s a tremendous defensive presence. WhoScored.com credits him with 3.3 tackles per game, which is the most in the league and 0.7 per game above Casemiro himself. Tapia is also averaging 1.7 interceptions per game, which is just 0.2 below Case.

If Real Madrid want an affordable, defense-first backup for the Brazilian, then Tapia should be on their watchlist. We know he can excel in this league, too.