Real Madrid will reportedly look to sign 26-year-old Croatian international Josip Stanisic from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by German outlet Fussball Daten, versatile Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanisic is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a right-back ahead of the 2026/27 season.
While the Merengues have several targets on their wishlist, they have kept their options open, identifying the Munich-born defender as an alternative to Diogo Dalot and Achraf Hakimi. However, a summer deal will not be straightforward, as the Bundesliga champions may be hesitant to sell Stanisic amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of Kim Min-jae and Hiroki Ito.
How has Josip Stanisic fared at Bayern Munich?
Josip Stanisic has established himself as one of the reliable defenders in the Bundesliga since breaking into the first-team squad at Bayern Munich, even though he has not been an undisputed first-choice starter for Die Roten. Born in Munich, the 26-year-old spent his formative years in Germany and graduated from the youth division at Bayern Munich.
The Croatian international had to bide his time before becoming a regular for Bayern Munich, and a successful loan stint with Bayer Leverkusen aided his cause after he won the Bundesliga title with Die Werkself. Stanisic has been solid in the 2025/26 season thus far, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 31 outings. Meanwhile, his progress has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Real Madrid.
La Liga move on the horizon?
Real Madrid’s interest in Josip Stanisic is understandable. The Merengues are scouring the market for a right-back amid uncertainties surrounding Dani Carvajal. The veteran Spanish full-back has not been a happy camper at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent months due to a lack of regular game time under Dani Carvajal.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold is also part of the Real Madrid squad, he has struggled with fitness issues and is still growing into his role at the club. Additionally, the demands of modern football have compelled teams to seek two top-quality options for each position. So, several candidates, including Diogo Dalot, have emerged on Real Madrid’s wishlist, with Stanisic also a viable target.
However, as iterated earlier, a summer move may not be possible, as Bayern Munich will not want to lose multiple defenders this summer. With Stanisic capable of playing across the backline, selling the 26-year-old Croatian international will not be a sensible decision.
