Over the last few years, one of the main areas in the squad Real Madrid have been trying to reinforce is the backline. In the dying days of Carlo Ancelotti and even at times under Xabi Alonso we would see goals leak in for fun which has cost the club trophies, resulting in the defense being the main priority in the transfer market.
This past summer alone the club brought in three defenders, with those being Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of the brought in with the expectations to be key players in solidifying the backline. Of the three Carreras has by far been the most consistent, while Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold have struggled with injuries, which has led to the club having to rely on backups as we've seen over the last number of seasons.
As a result the club have been scouring the transfer market for their next star central-defender and have been linked with a number of top class players like Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano who are on expiring contracts, falling perfectly into the hands of the masters of the free transfer.
However, there is another world class defender that Madrid have been linked with, and thankfully for the club they are now in pole position to sign him, jumping a number of other major European clubs.
Real Madrid receive huge boost in race for Bundesliga defender
As reported by Fichajes, Real Madrid have emerged as strong favorites to land Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who is looking to take the next step in his career this summer and is attracted to the idea of donning the famous all-white kit of Los Blancos.
The German is out of contract in 2027 but rather than waiting to sign him on a free transfer next summer, Real want to land him this summer in an effort to avoid further competition from other top European clubs when he's a free agent.
The 26-year-old has all the attributes to be the next great center-back at Los Blancos. He's tall, extremely quick, good on the ball, and is a threat from set pieces, which is becoming increasingly more important in the modern game. He also brings an intensity and aggression similar to what Sergio Ramos used to add in that part of the game.
While some of the other options Real have been linked with like Konate and Upamecano will be available as free agents this summer and Schlotterbeck could cost in the area of around €50 million, that would still be a steal of a deal in this kind of transfer market for a player the quality of the German. If Real want to get back to being the indistcructable force in Europe, getting the Schlotterbeck deal over the line should be the number one priority this summer.