Real Madrid could lose both of their first-choice center-backs from last season and replacing them is too expensive. Vallejo returns from loan and Carlo is happy.
Pre-season starts soon and we don’t know the squad
Real Madrid will start the pre-season not knowing who will form the centre-back partnership next season. The club could lose both of the players who were first-choice in central defence last season. One of them has already left – Sergio Ramos is close to signing for PSG on a free transfer and Raphaël Varane, who is on Manchester United’s shopping list, could depart in the next few weeks. It will depend on whether the player finally decides to leave (he is in two minds whether to stay or go) and also if United or any other club meets Madrid’s asking price, 70 million euros.
Raphael Varane also leaves the team
If Varane leaves, Madrid will start the new season with three regular central defenders: Nacho (his three-year contract extension could be announced this week), Militão and recent arrival David Alaba, although he will serve in other roles, at full-back, midfielder as well as in central defence. They could be joined by Jesús Vallejo who is back after spending last season out on loan, but his position is not assured. The club have not ruled out including him in a part exchange deal. He is under contract until 2025 and has a decent reputation in Spain and Germany, where he enjoyed the best moments of his career with Eintracht Frankfurt. He won;t be taking part in the pre-season as he will be with Luis de la Fuente’s Olympic team at the Tokyo Games. That could go against him, and he will have to put in good performances at the Olympics to convince Ancelotti that he deserves a place in the squad.