Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
Although we are yet to even reach the halfway point of the campaign, Real Madrid have witnessed enough to be planning for the coming future.
One of the club’s priorities will be to add more depth in central defence, with Jose Mourinho notably having just one viable option at centre-back heading into the next game against Villarreal.
Real Madrid have been linked with various centre-backs across Europe over the summer and the latest to join the list is Stuttgart’s Finn Jeltsch.
Real Madrid need more veteran signings
However, according to Jorge Picon (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid believe the club require more experienced options at centre-back.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Rudiger is expected to leave next summer. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
This is despite the fact that the club remain interested in someone like Jeltsch, who has showcased his abilities in the Bundesliga.
This is hardly surprising given that Real Madrid do indeed lack experience at the back, having had to part ways with Nacho Fernandez, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal in recent times.
The club are also expected to part ways with Antonio Rudiger next summer, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.
What are Real Madrid’s options?
It is quite possible that Real Madrid may opt to sign not one but two centre-backs next summer, provided Raul Asencio and Rudiger leave the club in the summer.
Will Real Madrid go after Bastoni next summer? (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Rudiger’s exit may warrant the addition of an experience centre-back, who can not only offer leadership skills but is also good with the ball.
Real Madrid have been linked with the likes of Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck and it won’t be surprising to see them being back on the club’s radar next summer.
On the flip side, Real Madrid may also go after a young, budding centre-back, who may eventually emerge as a potential replacement for someone like Eder Militao – a player struggling with injuries.
The coming months, therefore, will be interesting as Real Madrid look to build their roadmap for the defensive reinforcements, for the summer of 27. It will be equally interesting to see whether or not the club move ahead with signings in January as well.
Real Madrid veteran likely to leave upon contract expiry at the end of the season
Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid player
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
Antonio Rudiger was one of many Real Madrid players who was facing an uncertain future last season, but his contract was ultimately renewed earlier in the summer.
However, the one-year extension means his current deal at Santiago Bernabeu expires at the end of the season, thus raising questions about his future once again.
Rudiger has been a central figure to Real Madrid’s defensive line this season, thanks to Eder Militao’s long injury layoff. But whether or not he will continue next season remains the big question.
Rudiger is closer to leaving
According to Jorge Picon (h/t Madrid Zone), Rudiger is closer to leaving Real Madrid than renewing his contract for one more year.
Rudiger is in the final stage of his career. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The German has been plying his trade at Real Madrid for over four years now, featuring in 185 competitive matches in the process.
But his services may no longer be required as Real Madrid look to move on and focus on younger alternatives. That means the veteran could already be playing his final season at the club.
Rudiger’s potential departure next summer will continue the tradition of Real Madrid losing veterans at the end of every season, with the club having lost the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez in recent times.
Do Real Madrid have a plan to replace Rudiger?
It is clear that Rudiger’s potential exit could leave a massive void in Real Madrid’s defensive unit, so finding an immediate replacement could be very crucial.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Rudiger is playing his final season at Real Madrid. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Fortunately, it appears the club are serious about shoring up their ranks in defence next season, with the club being linked with a move for various centre-backs across Europe.
The likes of Nico Schlotterbeck and Alessandro Bastoni were linked with a move to Bernabeu this past summer and it won’t be surprising to see them back on the radar in 2027.
Real Madrid, in fact, may sign multiple centre-backs next summer to add more firepower to their defence, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah also on the club’s radar.
For the time being, though, Rudiger remains an important part of the Real Madrid defence and will, in fact, be the only viable centre-back available to Jose Mourinho heading into the game against Villarreal.