Casting call begins for Real Madrid's centre-back spot

In a game in which Ancelotti began to sort out the problems in the style of play and celebrated a resounding result, he went home worried. Injuries to Lucas Vazquez, Rodrygo and Eder Militao make the puzzle difficult for the Italian, especially the Brazilian centre-back, who will miss the entire season. With David Alaba still recovering, he has little choice but to turn to the market. Jesus Vallejo is not counting for the Italian, giving responsibility to a home-grown player like Raul Asencio is risky and alternatives - or stopgaps - like Dani Carvajal or Aurelien Tchouameni are also unavailable.

A window that could open up the possibility of signing a full-back, but the priority is a centre-back. It won't be easy because the moment of the season doesn't help. Both ‘Relevo’ and ‘Marca’ agree on two names: Aymeric Laporte and Castello Lukeba. They adapt to the position of left-sided defender, but with very different profiles.

Laporte was already on Real Madrid's radar last summer when they considered reinforcing the defence. A European champion with Spain, his big ‘but’ is that he plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. It is not easy to leave. His salary doesn't help either. His club paid 27 million for him and, according to ‘Marca’, wants three more (30) in case Madrid decide to sign him. Something that complicates this route because Laporte is already 30 years old and Madrid have become accustomed in recent years to not paying such amounts for players who reach their thirties.

Castello Lukeba is another player who has been brought to the forefront. The 21-year-old Frenchman is performing at a high level at RB Leipzig, but has only recently sealed his renewal. He did not extend his clause, which is already high: 90 million euros. An unaffordable amount, but the German club is used to negotiate, as already happened with Dani Olmo, although they know the need that Real Madrid have now in that urgency to find a centre-back.