When Xabi Alonso was announced as the new Real Madrid manger this past spring, one of the first priorities was to sort out the shaky backline that was leaking in goals for fun during the dying days of the Carlo Ancelotti regime.
And that showed in the transfer market, Madrid signed three new defenders, signalling the new era taking place under Alonso. Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all brought in to reshape the backline and add stability in front of Thibaut Courtois.
But Los Blancos are still looking for more. They've been scouring the transfer market looking for their perfect center-back to partner with either Dean Huijsen or Eder Militao and there are a number of names on their list. Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, and Nico Schlotterbeck were among the names on their list but who will actually be signed remains unknown.
They always say when one door shuts another one opens, and that could be the case for Madrid this summer with one name on their list, as they continue their hunt for their perfect center-back signing.
Real Madrid missing out on this defender opened the door for another
As being reported by Fabrice Hawkins, Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano is closing in on extending his contract with the German club, officially shutting down any chance of a move to Real Madrid or elsewhere in the summer. This does, however, open the door for another defender this summer, Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi.
The Englishman is available as a free agent this summer and seems destined for a move to a bigger club. Bayern were one of the teams interested in him, but now that Upamecano is staying, Guehi could fall right into Madrid's hands. The defender was teasingly close to joining Liverpool on deadline day this past summer before the move fell through and this time there are expected to be more suitors for Guehi, with Madrid being at the top.
The 25-year-old has almost all the attributes that Real Madrid look for in central defenders. He's tall, extremely quick, and a threat from set pieces, something Madrid have been missing since the days of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
Real Madrid have made themselves somewhat masters of the free transfer in recent years and it could be no different when it comes to Marc Guehi. The prospect of being one of the top teams in the Champions League every years is something that appeals to almost any player, but also teaming up with his England compatriots Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold is another bonus Real could use to secure his signature in the summer.