Why Real Madrid won’t prioritize a big-name CB in summer 2022 transfer window

Real Madrid have undoubtedly made Kylian Mbappe their main transfer priority in 2022. He is a man who can change the fortunes of the club from a great team to the best team in Europe. But Los Blancos know that Mbappe alone is not enough to take this team to the top. Real have a few weaknesses around the roster that must be shored up to build a complete squad, and that includes defensive upgrades.

Heavily linked to defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid know that they also need to address the right back situation. They have even been linked to left backs.

But how about center back? Real Madrid must love the duo of Eder Militao and David Alaba, but with Nacho Fernandez as the only proven backup, central defense appears to be a position of need.

Throughout the 2021-2022 season, Los Blancos have been linked to Chelsea‘s Antonio Rudiger, who will be a free agent at the end of the campaign. Even Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde have been linked to the club, and they would be much more expensive than the free Rudiger. You could argue there aren’t any better young CBs that money could buy.

Eder Militao is the reason Real Madrid can save money at CB

Expect for one. Militao. He is proving to be even better than de Ligt, vindicating Juni Calafat’s decision to tell Real to sign Militao for quite a bit cheaper than the current Juventus man in 2019.

Militao and Alaba are forming a center back duo that is so good, Madridistas even see it as an upgrade over the legendary duo of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Well, not prime Ramos and Varane, but the current versions of the players.

And according to Carlos Forjanes of AS, Eder Militao’s breakout into elite status this season is the reason why Real Madrid are not prioritizing Rudiger despite the frequent links. Rudiger and his agent seem to be pining for a dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but the rumors have cooled significantly. And it appears Militao is to thank for this.

Rudiger would be free in terms of his transfer fee, but he would command major wages. Real Madrid may not want to make that kind of an investment. Rudiger is good, but he isn’t a slam dunk like David Alaba, who commanded high wages in 2021 as Ramos’ replacement.

Real Madrid may even give a prospect a chance instead

If Real Madrid do go for a center back, they would want to go cheaper, because they don’t have to pay for a premium option like Rudiger, who deserves a big payday for what he has done for Chelsea over the past year.

That payday won’t come from Real. Alaba already makes the big bucks and has proven to be worth both the money and the No. 4 kit. Militao has been just as good and will surely get a raise, given Chelsea themselves appear to be going for the young star.

So Militao gives Real Madrid comfort for a decade in central defense, as well as the flexibility financially to go for the deal they want. If they want any deals. Because Militao isn’t the only talented young center back in Madrid. Prospects Rafa Marin and Marvel, for example, have the eyes of Madridistas in 2022.