It is officially the end of an era at Real Madrid.
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First to leave was Sergio Ramos; the legendary Los Blancos captain was a lion at the heart of the defense. He ended his fantastic 16-year career at the club by moving to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.
And now Raphael Varane, who has been the first choice to partner with Ramos in a famous successful pairing, has said goodbye to the club after an incredibly decorated decade. The Frenchman’s departure to Manchester United has left a hole in Los Blanco’s defense that needs to be filled.
David Alaba was quick through the door at the start of the window, but with only Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez and Jesus Vallejo in their first team as specialist defenders, manager Carlo Ancelotti could use another option.
Here are some options for who Madrid should sign (although they probably will not).
Jules Kounde seems set for Chelsea / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Varane’s transfer to Old Trafford is estimated to be worth around £ 45 million, so Los Blancos will have generated a bit more for its unusually low transfer fund.
Jules Kounde is a player who has previously expressed his willingness to play for the Spanish giants, and given his defensive quality, ease of ball and impressive La Liga promotion last semester, he would fit seamlessly into Ancelotti’s side.
Given the fee Sevilla would like for one of their esteemed assets and recent reports that Kounde has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, it seems highly unlikely that Real could steal him under the blue nose.
Nico Elvedi was impressive at Euro 2020 / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Okay, so he’s certainly not a Galactico signing, but Nico Elvedi is the reliable, strong and stoic defender that Madrid need right now.
The Swiss international has been an important part of Borussia Monchengladbach’s side since his arrival six years ago – with 170 Bundesliga games for the club – and has helped through three Champions League campaigns.
He also proved his underrated but heroic style in Switzerland on the way to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals – the longest nation ever to advance in a major tournament.
The 24-year-old is not a star but he is affordable – and he is the kind of defensive presence they need to constantly do things.
Cristian Romero won the Copa America with Argentina this summer / CARL DE SOUZA / Getty Images
Another player who has aroused interest after an impressive 2020/21 season, Cristian Romero, seems likely to move from Atalanta this summer.
Tottenham are keen on the player, although a £ 42m bid has recently been rejected. Should talks continue to falter, Los Blancos can come in and get their man – who would not choose Real Madrid over Spurs?
The Argentine midfielder enjoyed a Serie A star campaign last semester, which showed his defensive strength when he averaged 5.1 ball recoveries per 90 and at just 23 years old there is much more to see from him.
Maxence Lacroix enjoyed a brilliant season with Wolfsburg / ODD ANDERSEN / Getty Images
Even if it’s not a name that originally jumps out at you, Maxence Lacroix is a growing opportunity for European football.
Arriving in Wolfsburg from Ligue 2 at the start of the 2020/21 campaign, Lacroix quickly forced its way into the first XI and eventually presented 30 times – 29 of which were starts – in the league as Wolfsburg proved to be dark horses with a fourth place.
The 21-year-old stands at 6ft 3in and is an impressive presence who likes to actively engage in the press to regain possession quickly and efficiently – something that, together with Alaba, can sometimes be expensive.
However, that is not to say that he is a debtor. During the 2020/21 campaign, Lacroix managed a total of 139 tackles and interceptions – third in the Bundesliga – while completing 174 clearances and ranking joint eighth in the league with Elvedi.
In addition, the Frenchman is usually the more passive of the central defensive pair and lets his partner wander up and create from the depths – a move that would complement Alaba perfectly.
Stefan de Vrij won Serie A with Inter last season / Marco Canoniero / Getty Images
A more experienced alternative would be Stefan De Vrij.
The Dutchman is now 29 and has been a top quality center in Europe for a number of years. Although they are not the fastest, De Vrij is intelligent in his reading of the game and has excellent playing ability from the back line.
The 29-year-old also comes from the back of a brilliant Serie A campaign with Inter and plays a crucial role in a back line that conceded just 35 goals when I Nerazzurri won the Scudetto.
The Dutchman undoubtedly has a couple of years left at his current level, even if Los Blancos really would not have the potential with the fee they pay.
Sven Botman is one for the future / Sylvain Lefevre / Getty Images
To return to exciting alternatives, Sven Botman has been a revelation in Ligue 1 since he moved from Herenveen to Lille in the summer of 2020.
The 21-year-old was largely flawless as Les Dogues continued to end Paris Saint-Germain’s three-year reign of the Ligue 1 crown.
Botman immediately asserted himself in Lille-starting XI and played 37 times in the league to create a perfect balance between experience and youthful quality with Jose Fonte – something that Los Blancos could look like to recreate on a level above with the Dutchman standing next to Alaba .
Matthias Ginter in Euro 2020 action for Germany / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
It seems that Matthias Ginter has been around forever but the German is still only 27 years old, which gives him a couple of years at the top of his game yet.
The defender has very rarely been an integral cog in his side’s machine, so far he has collected 263 Bundesliga appearances in his career.
The Gladbach star’s trophy transport is limited (for, you know, Bavaria), but he has still earned two domestic awards; the award for the German national team player of the year for 2019 and was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup.
He is reliable, affordable and useful, very versatile.
Pau Torres participates in the Olympics for Spain / Masashi Hara / Getty Images
Pau Torres has aroused interest from a number of suitors this summer after a solid performance throughout the 2020/21 season for Villarreal.
The 24-year-old averaged 5.3 defensive tackles per 90 in La Liga last semester and was a key figure in Unai Emery’s Europa League winning side.
Although not the most physical of players, the Spaniard is an elegant and intelligent defender and enjoys being part of a possession-based side, and has regularly shown an impressive passing range last semester.
Niklas Sule is a reliable defender / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
From elegance to sheer brutality.
Niklas Sule is a giant of a man who uses his alarming strength and his entire 6ft 5-inch frame to dominate the opposition. While injuries have somewhat taken away from his speed, the 25-year-old still managed 2.7 ball recoveries per 90 in the Bundesliga last season and showed his versatility by doing a job at right-back – even giving an attacking threat.
The German is a proven champion, having won everything there is to gain with Bayern Munich, and a consistent practitioner who maintains a solid and unwavering defensive style.
He would not necessarily be cheap – especially after Bayern’s loss of Alaba and Jerome Boateng this summer – but he would be a guaranteed insurance in Los Blanco’s back line.
