Real Madrid may move for Barcelona target if academy graduate leaves – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid have had a relatively silent week on the transfer front for the first time this summer, but matters are expected to heat up once again once the FIFA World Cup ends later today.

Jose Mourinho has already begun rallying his troops and overseeing their training, and several internationals will join pre-season over the next few weeks.

The manager, however, still demands certain signings he sees as a must, and the central defence is one position where Mourinho has it as a non-negotiable.

A surprising option

As reported by Ramon Alvarez de Mon via Defensa Central in a recent update, Spain national team mainstay Aymeric Laporte, who is also on Barcelona’s radar, may emerge as a surprise option for Real Madrid this summer, especially after his great performances at the World Cup.

Laporte has been phenomenal at the World Cup. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Real Madrid, after all, are looking for an ‘impactful’ signing. With all economic focus now diverted towards the Michael Olise dream, they could look to cut costs in their centre-back recruitment.

If Raul Asencio leaves this summer and the club pocket a decent fee from the academy star’s departure, Laporte will move up the list as Real Madrid’s potential defensive signing of the summer.

There is, however, no approach from Real Madrid to Laporte’s entourage yet and the transfer is still at the speculative stage.

A difficult negotiation

At 32 years of age, Laporte has formed a rock-solid partnership with Pau Cubarsi in Spain’s defence and has been part of the tournament’s best defensive lineup who have conceded just once in the entire competition.

Asensio’s departure is an important pre-requisite. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

His performances at the World Cup, however, have boosted his valuation in the eyes of Athletic Club as well, and they will likely not sell him for a bargain price this summer.

Laporte’s current contract with the Basque side runs until 2028, and they are thus under no pressure to sell him this summer.

Despite his age, Real Madrid will thus have to shell out a reasonable sum of close to €25 million if they are to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The final decision, needless to say, rests with Jose Mourinho, who has made all the big calls on Real Madrid’s transfer strategy this season.