Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a 2024 move for RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan to fix their long-running right-back problem.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Real Madrid will look to sign versatile defender Mohamed Simakan from Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig in 2024 as they look to solve the quality-depth issue at right-back.
Real Madrid fans will have mixed feelings about Los Blancos’ summer transfer business. The Merengues made one ‘Galáctico’ signing in generational talent Jude Bellingham, who joined them from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €103 million plus add-ons and has made a flying start to his Real Madrid career.
But other than that, their business left a lot to be desired, with several key positions in the squad still in dire need of addressing. They did not really invest much in the defence, even though left-back Fran Garcia and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived at the club. But Florentino Perez has some big plans in place to bolster the defensive area in the 2024 summer transfer window.
One of the positions across the backline that is relatively unrivalled is the right-back position. Dani Carvajal is the first-choice right-back for the squad, with Lucas Vazquez and Nacho Fernandez being the players tasked to cover in case of injury now that forgotten man Alvaro Odriozola has been moved on to Real Sociedad.
Carvajal, for one, has been first-choice right-back for several years now at the Bernabeu. But doubts over his long-term ability to hold down the position ramped up last season after a significant drop in performance levels.
There is certainly an argument to suggest that Vazquez is not up to the required standard to push Carvajal to compete as the first choice. Ivan Fresneda and Arnau Martinez were the two options available on the market this past summer. But both were passed up by the Merengues.
One of the names that aroused Real Madrid’s interest in a potential 2024 move is RB Leipzig star Mohamed Simakan. The Frenchman played for Strasbourg between 2019 and 2021 before moving to RB Leipzig. And he has shined in the Bundesliga, emerging as one of the brightest young talents in the country.
A willing and able carrier of the ball, in addition to being a smart decision-maker with his passing, Simakan has a massive upside with his physical tools and reading of the game. His positional versatility could be a big bonus for Ancelotti, as he can play either as a right-sided centre-back or as a right-back.
Real Madrid have been gradually transitioning their team into a new era of technical but supremely athletic stars. Players like Eduardo Camavinga, Bellingham, and Federico Valverde are prime examples of young prospects ready to take over the reins in the near future. Similarly, Simakan could develop into a world-class defender with a well-rounded skill set.
Although Real Madrid had an interest in the 23-year-old in the recently-concluded transfer window, they didn’t make a move to sign him due to other, more urgent priorities. Fichajes also reveals that sources close to the player have hinted that he could be open to joining Los Blancos if the opportunity presents itself. It will be interesting to see how this story develops during the next summer window.