Real Madrid have their eyes focused on PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, whose lengthy transfer saga has reached a new boiling point amidst the acquisition of Lionel Messi. PSG may decide to sell Mbappe to balance their books, though because they are under no real pressure to do so, many insiders predict a big-money move to Madrid in 2021 won’t happen.
As such, Madridistas are thinking about possible standouts the club could sign this summer with the money that is not spent on Mbappe. And they are specifically worried about the defensive depth, considering Jesus Vallejo is set to be the fourth center back.
Even if they do not sign anyone this summer, they are always looking for future opportunities on the market, such as Erling Haaland and Eduardo Camavinga in 2022. There is another big-name player to watch, though in central defense to help shore the position up in 2022-2023 in case David Alaba was not enough.
Los Blancos lost Sergio Ramos to PSG and then Raphael Varane to Manchester United, so they could look to add another established name in the near future.
Real Madrid and PSG are watching Antonio Rudiger’s negotiations with Chelsea
According to Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, center back Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea is weighing his options as he heads into contract negotiations. The 28-year-old is reportedly committed to the team for 2021-2022, the final year of his contract, but he knows that at his age, he only has one more chance to get a major payday. And if Chelsea can’t offer him a valuation in line with what he could get elsewhere, he could leave as a free agent.
Sheth says that both Real Madrid and PSG are keeping a watchful eye on Rudiger’s situation as negotiations develop. PSG and Real both made huge center back acquisitions in free agency this summer, and Rudiger could be another opportunity for both ambitious European heavyweights.
Rudiger has the profile of a player who could fit Real. He has a lot of tenacity and isn’t afraid to push up into the attack and help create. Rudiger leaves it all out on the pitch for his team and has the mentality and character to suit the LaLiga giants.
Cost and availability will be the key questions, and we know Chelsea and PSG are two of the three richest clubs in the world. But Rudiger could like the challenge of playing in LaLiga for Real Madrid, even as he is expected to show loyalty to the club he won a Champions League with.
Rudiger was a promising prospect in Germany, but the 2020-2021 season was when he truly blossomed. He was brilliant in Thomas Tuchel’s defensive structure. Real probably won’t go for him, but it is wise for Florentino Perez and the club’s executives to keep updated.