Real Madrid set to face competition from Saudi Arabian club in the race to sign top defensive target | OneFootball

Despite having signed no less than three new defenders this summer, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is keen on further reinforcements at the back.

The Portuguese tactician is particularly looking for a new centre-back, in order to add more competition for the likes of Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and new signing Ibrahima Konate.

Alessandro Bastoni has been widely regarded as the prime target for Los Blancos, but it appears the club are set to face fresh competition in the race to sign the Italian.

Al Hilal join race to sign Bastoni

Bastoni is a target for Al Hilal coach Inzaghi. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

According to Sky Sport Italy (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Al-Hilal have emerged as potential suitors for Bastoni, closely monitoring the Inter Milan defender who has long been coveted at the Bernabeu.

The report clarifies that there is no concrete offer from the Saudi club as yet, but manager Simone Inzaghi, who knows Bastoni well from their time together at Inter, is understood to be keen on reuniting with the centre-back.

Much like Real Madrid, however, Al-Hilal face a hurdle of their own. The Saudi side would need to offload one of their existing foreign players to comply with the league’s overseas quota before they could bring Bastoni in, complicating any potential move.

A deal dependent on outgoings

Raul Asencio’s exit could be integral in any move for Bastoni. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

For Real Madrid, the situation is similarly tied to departures.

The club will not sign another centre-back until Raul Asencio is moved on, meaning Mourinho’s pursuit of Bastoni remains on hold for the time being.

Encouragingly for Los Blancos, the player’s own preference could work in their favour. As previously reported, Bastoni would choose Real Madrid if the decision were left solely to him.

The stumbling block, as ever, is the fee. Inter are said to be demanding around €75 million for their prized defender, especially given that the player, for his part, is not pushing for an exit.

With Al-Hilal now lurking and Inter holding firm on their valuation, Real Madrid may need to accelerate their plans, and resolve their own outgoings, if they are to land Mourinho’s preferred defensive target this summer.