Real Madrid need defensive help more than any other position this summer transfer window, and even Jose Mourinho is apparently directing the club to make a few signings to bolster a defense that was already weak all the way back in 2023/24 when Carlo Ancelotti won the Champions League despite urging Florentino Perez to sign more defenders.
Last summer, Los Blancos added three potential starters in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras at either fullback position, as well as another young Spanish international in Bournemouth center back Dean Huijsen. Of these three, only Trent is a guaranteed starter next season, while Carreras has been so disappointing that many Madridistas are wondering if he will ever be able to develop into a starter.
Back when Ancelotti was pining for defensive signings, one of the biggest dream targets was Josko Gvardiol, who ended up making the move from RB Leipzig to Manchester City instead, joining Erling Haaland as another Galactic transfer who got away from Perez due to, in all honesty, complacency.
Real Madrid can sign Josko Gvardiol after all
But Real Madrid can make things right in 2026. Because according to a report from Diario AS, via Madrid Xtra, Los Blancos have been offered the chance to sign the Croatian international from Manchester City. They also brought up the name of Bernardo Silva, who is available this summer and was offered to Real in the past.
Real Madrid don't need Silva, though, who is finished at the elite level of football and no longer attractive to Real Madrid. Gvardiol, though, is in his prime at 24 and is still young despite years of experience at the top level for both Manchester City in winning the Champions League and Croatia in going far in the World Cup.
Gvardiol has his flaws and can be overly aggressive, but he is one of the only players with the technical quality, athleticism, aggression, and that something special to succeed as a Real Madrid center back. He makes the same mistakes that many Real Madrid center backs have before him, including Antonio Rudiger, but he offers the bravery and individual quality that the current crop of defenders, minus a healthy Eder Militao, don't.
Real Madrid need multiple new center backs, so Josko Gvardiol could come with a guy like Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund, a similar profile. Or he could come with a more covering defender, unless if Real Madrid like what they have in Dean Huijsen, who did show promise. Another thing that helps Gvardiol? His versatility to cover at left back, which is Real's second biggest defensive weakness.
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