Chelsea are expected to bring in a centre-back this summer, but one option on the Stamford Bridge list looks as if it is set to become unavailable as Real Madrid enter the fray.
Liam Rosenior’s side failed to sign a new central defender in January, despite going after Jeremy Jacquet. The French defender is set to join Liverpool at the end of the season for a fee north of the £60m mark.
Chelsea compiled a three-man centre-back list in January, with Jacquet the priority. However, Chelsea also added Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi and Como’s impressive Jacobo Ramon to their transfer list.
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Senesi remains a target for Chelsea, while Jacquet is now unavailable. Whether Ramon remains an option for Chelsea is still unclear, but if the Blues do want the Spaniard, Real Madrid will be stiff competition.
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According to a report from Spanish newspaper SPORT, Real Madrid want to sign Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool. It comes after Arne Slot confirmed Liverpool are in contract talks to keep the France star.
Como defender Jacobo Ramon.
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Konate endured a dismal start to the season, but it is fair to say his form has improved, and now, Real Madrid want to land the defender. However, he is not the only option on Madrid’s summer shortlist.
Indeed, Madrid are keen to sign Spain U21 defender Ramon as a ‘low-cost’ alternative. Gianluca Di Marzio recently claimed Madrid have a buyback clause in Ramon’s contract at Como, worth a bargain £7m.
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Como’s relationship with Real Madrid is an excellent one and it has seen the Italian side benefit from signings youngsters like Ramon and Nico Paz. But, bought for tiny fees, the youngsters are set to return.
Paz is one of the best players in Italian football at the moment and Madrid are set to buy him back for a measly fee, while Ramon could do the same. Fabregas said Ramon has been “devastating” this term.
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“Jacobo is a young player but with great potential. He comes from one of the most competitive youth academies in the world, where he honed his skills. We’re sure he can have a positive impact on our team.
“Ramon has the right mentality. We’re bringing that to Como, players who don’t get nervous. Ramon was devastating against Lazio, but he’s 20. We must never forget that he, too, will make mistakes; it’s normal.”
With Konate in talks with Liverpool, the chances are Madrid will go after Ramon to bolster their defensive ranks. It might mean Chelsea have to look elsewhere, and the Blues are already considering Murillo.
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