Real Madrid are planning a major squad overhaul this summer. A number of big name arrivals are expected to strengthen the squad accompanied by a number of departures by a number of veteran players, mostly in the defense. Naturally those who leave will have to be replaced, and Los Blancos have been linked with a number of the best defenders across Europe, however they are also keeping tabs on some lesser known defenders who have incredibly bright futures ahead of them.
As being reported by Gianluca Di Marzio on X, Real Madrid is closely monitoring 18-year-old Atalanta center-back Honest Ahanor, who has quickly made a name for himself in Serie A following an impressive debut season with the Bergamo side. The Italian is naturally a left-back but has shown his versatility impressing strongly at center-back where he has made a majority of his appearances for Atalanta.
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The Italian defender has had a rapid rise to recognition, and has stamped his name as one of the brightest teenage players in Serie A. The defender joined Atalanta from Genoa for €17 million last summer and he arrived with big expectations on his shoulders and he has surely been delivering for his new team.
Ahanor has been a consistent piece for Atalanta's team this season making 16 appearances in Serie A along with three outings in the Coppa Italia where he grabbed one goal. The 18-year-old has also impressed on the European stage with nine Champions League appearances, including appearing in both Round of 16 legs against Bayern Munich and has also grabbing a goal in Europe's biggest competition.
The defender's progress hasn't gone unnoticed with a number of top European clubs keeping tabs on him, with Real Madrid the latest to show strong interest in signing him. Ahanor fits the club's new transfer philosophy perfectly with the club looking to invest more into promising young players, while bringing in veteran players on free transfers.
With both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger expected to be departing once their contracts expire in the summer, Real are assessing all their options both young and old to insure they don't make any mistakes with their signings. Nico Schlotterbeck and Ibrahima Konate have strongly been linked with moves to the Bernabeu but signing a player like Ahanor shouldn't be completely ruled out. His signing would be very similar to that of Dean Huijsen from last summer, bringing in a promising youngster that the club can develop into their next big star.
However, his signing may not be as straightforward as it may seem. Given his young age, the fact that Atalanta just signed him last summer, and he has become a key player for the Italian side, they won't be in any rush to make a profit and sell the player right away as he could progress even more next season meaning they could wait and sell him for more next summer.