Real Madrid not looking to part ways with veteran defender this summer – report | OneFootball

Signing Dean Huijsen was Real Madrid’s first solid move in years to solidify the team’s centre-back department for the long term. After all, last season taught Los Blancos that there is a serious need for depth in the department.

Now, the club are looking for a new long-term fix in the position with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate linked as one of the primary options. Concurrently, there has been talk of possibly letting some of the existing defenders go.

Antonio Rudiger’s future, thus, has also been called into question in recent weeks, but Defensa Central now report a binding decision that Real Madrid have made over his future.

Here to stay

The team’s leader in defence will stay. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

As relayed by the sports outlet, Xabi Alonso and the German star have decided that he will not leave this summer. Rudiger will continue to be a Real Madrid player for the 2025-26 season.

The new manager sees the veteran to be a critical piece in his project and is thus unwilling to part ways with him at this point in the transfer window. He especially values Rudiger’s experience and leadership.

The situation, however, could well change next summer when Rudiger will be a year older and closer to the end of his contract. After all, his deal runs out next summer and he will be a free agent.

Given the club’s policy of not handing players over the age of 30 with direct renewals, they will wait to see the German’s contributions and level this season before handing him a new deal.

It thus goes unsaid that if Rudiger fails to impress, or if Real Madrid sign Konate next summer, the player could well leave the club. His medium-term future at the club, thus, is not secure especially with clubs in Saudi Arabia linked with his name.