Real Madrid aim to strengthen key position at zero cost – Liverpool ace the top target | OneFootball

Real Madrid have become a dominant force in the market for players nearing the end of their contracts.

In recent years, Los Blancos have successfully signed top players like David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, and Trent Alexander-Arnold upon the expiry of their contracts with their previous clubs.

And, it is a tactic that Real Madrid intend to repeat again next summer as they look to strengthen a key position.

A new centre-back wanted, but at zero cost

Indeed, according to MARCA, Real Madrid have made it a top priority to sign a new centre-back in the summer of 2026 without spending any money on transfer fees.

The Spanish capital club are dealing with some uncertainty in the centre-back department. Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao have forged a solid partnership with Raul Asencio as the backup.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are further options but both will see their contracts run out on June 30, 2026, and their recent fitness problems make a renewal unlikely.

As such, Real Madrid’s idea is to bring in a new centre-back in the summer, but at zero cost.

Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Marc Guehi make up the current list of potential signings at Valdebebas. All three are approaching the end of their contracts and would only require a modest signing-on fee.

At the same time, promoting Joan Martinez from within the academy is also an option that will be studied.

Konate the front-runner

Real Madrid’s top target in defence. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Furthermore, the report states that Liverpool’s Konate is at the top of that list at Real Madrid.

The French international has been on the club’s radar for some time, and at Anfield, given his reluctance to renew, many believe his commitment to Real Madrid is more than just speculation.

Upamecano, in a similar situation at Bayern Munich, has already been offered to the Spanish capital club.

However, at the moment, his signing is not considered a top preference by the Merengues, despite recent scouting reports indicating improvements in his performances.

The latest addition to the list is Guehi, the England international whose transfer to Liverpool collapsed at the last moment during the previous summer window.

The 25-year-old defender’s contract with Crystal Palace expires in eight months, but he is not seen as a priority target.