Real Madrid had a decent run in the summer transfer window. For once in many years, they signed three defenders and all of them are already doing incredibly well. But they could have signed more of this kind. Perhaps one more.
They were even linked to Ibrahima Konaté for a summer acquisition and might still go for him next. But the reason they did not sign him this summer was smart and, in hindsight, now seems calculated.
Madrid have adored Konaté for long. They have been planning to sign him the same way they signed Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold, on a free, as their contracts expire. And Liverpool were really agitated with this approach.
But the caveat was that Liverpool were not ready to let another one of their most important players leave on a free transfer once again. So they reportedly gave Konaté an ultimatum: either renew by the end of summer or leave immediately for a fee.
So Madrid had the opportunity to sign him immediately but they did not. And now that we look back, it may have been a good decision.
Real Madrid ghosting this player now seems meticulously planned
Look, Real Madrid needed defenders, centre-backs specifically. And they signed Dean Huijsen and promoted Raúl Asencio to the first team. That is two starting contenders. And though there were doubts over the form of Éder Militão after the long-term injury return, he came back anew with the same wall-like form.
That is almost like a new signing in itself. And then you have Antonio Rüdiger who is largely solid other than some shaky performances here and there. Be that as it may, you can rely on him as a second or third choice centre-back for another season. There is no problem with that.
There is also Álvaro Carreras, who is adept at playing as a side centre-back in a three-at-the-back formation if Xabi Alonso wants to experiment at times. Rüdiger has played in that style too at Chelsea. So even for contingencies, the positions seem covered by one or two solid players with decent backups.
As for David Alaba, despite his legacy and versatility, I do not count on him as an option. If he turns out good, good for him and the team, but there is no logic in considering him an option as long as he does not.
But the idea is that the position is well covered and did not need another signing for another season. Plus, Real Madrid would have had to pay Liverpool a hefty sum to sign Konaté.
They already paid them 10 million for signing Trent a few days earlier, so signing Konaté an entire season earlier would have cost about 30 to 50 million after negotiations.
With the position comfortably covered, and the great possibility of signing a world-class centre-back for free next time, not going for Konaté this summer was a very smart move from Real Madrid.
READ MORE REAL MADRID NEWS HERE: