Real Madrid are planning a major defensive overhaul in the summer transfer window. A number of veteran defenders are expected to depart the club, and they are actively scouting the transfer market for their next long-term central defender. The name that had been the strongest linked in recent months is Ibrahima Konate, however, according to recent reports, Real Madrid may opt to head in a different direction.
TEAMTalk reports that Real Madrid have been left 'unimpressed' in the recent weeks and months with the performances from Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate, and have shifted their attention to Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven as they look to reshape their backline for the new generation.
Van de Ven over Konate is the right call
Konate has long been the defender many expected Real Madrid to sign in the summer, as he'll be available on a free transfer, and Real have made themselves known as somewhat masters of the free transfer in recent years. The Frenchman has yet to agree a new deal with the Premier League side, and with his former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold now calling the Bernabeu home, many thought it was almost locked in that Konate would reunite with his former teammate. However, it seems that is not the case anymore.
The Frenchman has a major drop in form in recent months leaving many in Madrid 'unimpressed' and questioning if he is the right fit as they look to solidify a leaky defense. Konate has had a number of mistakes leading to goals over the last few months, which given the state of the Real Madrid defense, is the last thing they need to add more of.
As a result Real Madrid are turning their attention to other targets with Tottenham's Micky van de Ven and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck being the two at the top of the list. Both players are similar profile and bring all the attributes to the table that Real Madrid are looking for in their next defender. Both bring an intensity and aggression to the backline that the team desperately needs, as well as a threat from set pieces, an area Los Blancos have struggled to get goals from this season.
Schlotterbeck would cost somewhere around €50 million and while Tottenham reportedly want €100 million for van de Ven, given the current situation at Tottenham and the potential relegation being a real threat, Real could easily grab the Dutchman in a cut-price deal, similar in figure to Schlotterbeck. Who Real Madrid will ultimately end up signing remains unknown, but one thing is for certain, whichever player they sign could prove crucial for the future of Los Blancos for years to come.