Analysis: Life after Leny Yoro – who should Real Madrid target as their centre-back signing?

Real Madrid have been left scrambling after missing out on their top target for the summer transfer window: Leny Yoro. Club officials expected to sign the 18-year-old from Lille, and they are relying on him turning down Manchester United’s interest. Ultimately, he did not, and he’s set to join the Premier League giants in the coming days.

Leny Yoro to Manchester United, here we go! Deal in place after first part of medical completed.

More tests to follow then he’s ready to sign five year deal valid until June 2029.

Lille and Man United have all documents set for deal worth €50m plus several add-ons. pic.twitter.com/8Ziwb2JKNj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024

Having missed out on Yoro, it’s back to the drawing board for Real Madrid. They must sign a new centre-back this summer, given that they only have two senior options going into next summer: Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao. Aurelien Tchouameni can fill in when required, but it’s not a position that the midfielder is comfortable in.

So who do Real Madrid go for? That’s the big question. If they decide to stick with their transfer policy of promising signing young players to develop, there are options out there – maybe none as good as Yoro, however. There’s Antonio Silva from Benfica, Goncalo Inacio from Sporting CP (whom they have been linked with in the past), or a more expensive option could be Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite – coincidentally, he was a target for Man United until they turned their attention to Yoro.

Of the three mentioned, Branthwaite would be a top, top signing. He’d likely cost in the region of €80-90m, but at 22 years of age, he’s more than ready to play for a team like Real Madrid. He’d only get better too, and it would be a perfect signing for Los Blancos’ transfer policy. However, the cost may be too much for now.

If Real Madrid decide to take their time with a long-term signing, there are options to go for more established. The best would be Aymeric Laporte, whom they have been linked with on the back of missing out on Yoro. Laporte is reportedly looking to leave Al-Nassr after only one season, and he’s more capable of playing for one of the biggest and most demanding clubs in the world – he certainly showed his level during Euro 2024, where he was one of the best central defenders on display.

What’s more, Laporte is left-footed, and Real Madrid do not have a left-sided centre-back at the moment because David Alaba is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered last December. He’d also massively help with Los Blancos’ homegrown quota for La Liga and the Champions League – it’s worth remembering that three Spaniards have already left the Santiago Bernabeu this summer (Kepa Arrizabalaga, Nacho Fernandez and Joselu Mato).

It remains to be seen which approach is taken by Real Madrid. What’s certain is that they need to sign someone. They may have survived last season with two (sometimes one) fit centre-back for a prolonged period of time, but that risk should not be taken on this occasion.

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