While some clubs focus on expensive additions to the centre of their defence (Sevilla pair Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos are likely to provoke a mini bidding war this summer), and Barcelona looking for a free transfer but concentrating on ball-playing centre-backs such as Andreas Christensen, Madrid want someone who fits a frugal spending plan on almost anyone not Kylian Mbappe, and someone who they think has the club’s winning mentality.
Alaba is more than happy in a midfield role and he can play left back so with Rudiger able to partner Eder Militao he could now replace both the Brazilian midfielder and Ferland Mendy who have had problems with fitness this season. Another freebie means all funds lead to Mbappe’s coffers. At least that’s the way it will be if he decides to take what could end up being a record breaking signing on fee from Real Madrid and not from Paris Saint Germain. Madrid remain confident that he will do that.
Madrid will also buy one midfielder. Spending big on Mbappe is likely to rule out a successful bid for Borussia Dortmund’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham. Madrid have a good relationship with Dortmund, who have taken Achraf Hakimi and Reinier Jesus on loan in the past, but Monaco’s 22-year-old midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to be more get table. The German club will have no need to sell having offloaded Erling Haaland to Manchester City and Bellingham has a contract until 2025.