Real Madrid have failed to win the race to sign French defensive sensation Leny Yoro, who will soon join Manchester United.
Leny Yoro was one of the top targets for Real Madrid this summer. The teenager’s exceptional rise and impressive performances for LOSC Lille’s first team caught their attention. They were keeping a close eye on the 18-year-old and were quite confident about bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos were optimistic because the player had a desire to play for them, and they were counting on it as they looked to strike a deal with the French club for a bargain fee. With his contract running out in 12 months, Real Madrid did not want to overpay for him, and they were willing to play the waiting game.
It seems to have cost them big time as one of their priority targets of this summer will soon end up joining Manchester United. While an official confirmation is yet to arrive, it is practically a done deal with the Red Devils paying €50 million plus another €12 million in add-ons.
Yoro has already undergone the first part of his medical and once he completes the remaining tests, he will put pen to paper on a five-year deal. After missing out on the signature of the French sensation, Real Madrid will now have to turn their attention elsewhere to bolster their backline.
Following Nacho’s departure, they do not have sufficient depth at the back and are expected to bring in a top-level centre-back before the window ends. The Hard Tackle have come up with five alternatives that Los Blancos could target this summer.
William Saliba
Saliba has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world. He has been the go-to man for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the back. The 23-year-old’s consistent performances for the Gunners as well as the French national team haven’t gone unnoticed, and Real Madrid are one of the clubs linked with him.
The Frenchman still has three years left on his contract with the North London club and given his importance to their team, Arsenal will try to keep him around for as long as possible. The Spanish giants will have to fork out around £117 million if they want to prise Saliba away.
Despite being only 23, he has made quite a reputation for himself. His defensive abilities seem to be second to none, and he is quite comfortable playing it out from the back. Saliba has everything needed to succeed at the top, and he could be a great alternative to Yoro but a much more expensive one.
Antonio Silva
20-year-old Antonio Silva could be another great option for the team in white. But bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu will cost around €100 million, which is why reports have suggested that they might not make a move for him. However, after having missed out on Yoro, their stance could change.
The Benfica graduate is capable enough to feature on either side in the heart of the defence. He could be a great acquisition for the short as well as the long run. Silva is a hard-tackling centre-back who is quite good on the ball, which does make him a good option for Real Madrid.
He is expected to be on the move this summer and has been linked with multiple clubs in the Premier League, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchestr United. As a result, Real Madrid could have significant competition for his signature if they eye him as an alternative to Leny Yoro.
Alessandro Bastoni
While Bastoni is already 25, he still has a lot of years left in him and could be a great investment from Real Madrid given the amount of experience he has under his belt. His arrival will strengthen Los Blancos’ defensive rotation manifolds.
The Italian international has four years left on his deal with Inter Milan. But prising him away could be easier given the financial situation of the Italian giants. He could be available for a fee of around €60 million, which does not seem to be that big a price for someone with his level of experience.
Bastoni is a left-footed centre-back who could form a long-term partnership with Eder Militao. A few months ago, a report suggested that Carlo Ancelotti wants Bastoni at Real Madrid, and it won’t be a surprise to see if they revive their interest now following the failed Yoro move.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United have been pushing hard to secure the services of Everton defensive sensation Jarrad Branthwaite. While they have added Yoro to their ranks, they want to bring in another world-class centre-back, and the English international is quite high on their wishlist. Despite failing with multiple bids, they are looking to return with an improved offer.
While Manchester United are quite keen on his signature, Real Madrid could rival them in their pursuit. They have already been linked with the 22-year-old centre-back, who is wanted by Carlo Ancelotti, who worked with him at Everton back in the day.
Branthwaite had an exceptional season with the Toffees last time out. The Englishman’ss performances suggest he could be a great addition to the Real Madrid squad and since he is a left-footed defender, he could be another option to partner with Militao in the long run.
Jorrel Hato
Hato has come up the ranks at Ajax, he was promoted to their first team last summer. In his debut campaign with the senior side, the teenager featured in 46 matches and racked up over 4,000 minutes. He had an exceptional debut campaign following which he is on the wishlist of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
While English clubs are looking to push hard for his signature, Real Madrid have also been linked with the 18-year-old. He is amongst the best young defenders in the world and could be an ideal alternative to Yoro.
The Ajax defender is versatile, as he can feature on both sides of the central defensive pairing as well as a left-back, something which will surely be a massive boost for Los Blancos. He seems to be the perfect profile for the team in white thanks to his age as well as his versatility.
But, they won’t find it easy to sign him given the amount of competition for his signature and the fact that the Dutch club will look for a massive fee to part ways with Hato, who still has four years left on his deal.
