Real Madrid Transfers: Ranking the top 5 young center back targets in 2021

3. Wolfsburg CB Maxence Lacroix

There’s a case to be made that if we are solely discussing how these young center backs performed in the 2020-2021 season, nobody has been more impressive than Maxence Lacroix. The man jumped from Ligue 2’s Sochaux to Wolfsburg, and he wasted no time establishing himself as one of the best center backs in the entire league. He’s thoroughly outplayed more hyped BuLi youngsters like Bayern-bound Dayot Upamecano.

Lacroix rarely makes mistakes but isn’t afraid to be aggressive and win the ball higher up the pitch. He has great instincts and a feel for the game that is uncanny from someone who had no top-flight experience coming into the current campaign.

With all the talented French center backs around, Lacroix is bound to get underrated. But he’s a huge reason for Wolfsburg’s steely defense, which was vital in helping the club secure a Champions League place for next season.

Lacroix is a huge reason for the sudden success in Wolfsburg. The 21-year-old probably still needs some more work on the ball, which could worry Real Madrid. But in terms of ball-winning and overall defensive traits, Lacroix is up there with the best of them in Europe. This is a player Real will want to get in the door for early.