Real Madrid unlikely to spend big on key position in the summer window – report | OneFootball

For a couple of seasons now, Real Madrid’s lack of depth in the centre-back department has been exposed due to serious injuries to key personnel.

Eder Militao and David Alaba suffered ACL injuries last season, leaving Carlo Ancelotti short-handed in the position.

This season, Los Blancos did not sign a replacement for Nacho Fernandez, who left in the summer while Militao has suffered another ACL rupture and Alaba missed the entirety of the first half of the season due to his previous injury.

Furthermore, Antonio Rudiger is dealing with chronic knee issues and neither him nor Alaba are getting any younger, leading to the Spanish champions being linked with top defenders like William Saliba heading into the summer.

No major investments planned

However, according to MARCA, Real Madrid do not have any plans to make a major investment in a new central defender before the start of the next season.

The Merengues plan on counting on their current resources, more so after the emergence of several young prospects from within the club’s academy this season.

Asencio is evolving into a key player for Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

After all, Raul Asencio has established himself as a first-team player in his breakthrough season and is set to be rewarded with a new long-term contract imminently.

Jacobo Ramon and Diego Aguado have also made their official first-team debuts and have shown potential. Moreover, Joan Martinez will also recover from his ACL injury and be an option for next season.

All of this has reshaped Real Madrid’s outlook on the centre-back department ahead of next season, with the club feeling that the position is now well-covered.

As such, spending a significant sum on another defender does not appear to be a priority at this time.

However, the final decision will likely depend on how Alaba progresses following his recent comeback as well as Militao’s recovery, considering he has now had two knee surgeries in two years.