Los Blancos have several candidates in the frame for the vacant centre-back position
The departure of Nacho Fernández as a free agent to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia has left Real Madrid considerably short of centre-backs ahead of the upcoming season. As a result, those at Valdebebas know that the priority is to sign a player capable of replacing the former Merengue captain.
The reports presented by Juni Calafat about Leny Yoro, describing him as a “generational talent,” are largely responsible for Real Madrid’s focus on signing the young French centre-back. Although the defender is fully convinced of joining the Whites, LOSC Lille are putting up much more resistance.
Demanding a transfer fee of between €50 and €60 million, an amount that the Madrid treasury is unwilling to pay for a player whose contract expires in just one season, the potential signing of Leny Yoro has reached a stalemate, ‘forcing’ the executives led by Florentino Pérez to look for alternatives in this summer’s transfer market.
Alternative in contention
With Riccardo Calafiori set to join Arsenal when his participation in the European Championship in Germany ends, Real Madrid now has as their ‘Plan B’ a player who is also on the agenda of the Gunners and Chelsea: Jorrel Hato. According to information published by TeamTALK, the Dutch defender from Ajax Amsterdam has caught the attention of these three elite European football teams.
Despite the fact that the Ajax bosses have managed to get Jorrel Hato to extend his contract until the summer of 2028, these three teams will continue to follow him closely with the aim of trying to sign him this summer. However, it will be an operation that will demand certain financial efforts from the team that finally manages to secure his incorporation.
Because Jorrel Hato’s current market value is set at €30 million, an amount that Ajax could double and demand as a transfer fee to let a recently renewed player go. Aware of all these complications, Real Madrid are keeping Leny Yoro as their priority, seeking to negotiate an affordable fee to pay as soon as possible… but without losing sight of the moves surrounding their ‘Plan B’.
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