Free agent expresses desire to join Real Madrid in 2026

Real Madrid will almost certainly be on the lookout for a new central defender to sign during next summer’s transfer window, given that Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are set to leave the club at the end of this season. And at this stage, a number of candidates are being considered by the sporting department.

Ibrahima Konate is said to be Real Madrid’s leading target, and if he decides against signing a new Liverpool contract in the coming months, it’s expected that he will reach a pre-contract agreement with Los Blancos. The same could also be said for Marc Guehi, who is said to be prioritising a move to the Santiago Bernabeu despite interest from Liverpool.

And now a third centre-back whose contract expires next summer is desperate to join Real Madrid: Dayot Upamecano. As per Marca, he wants to fulfil his dream by following in the footsteps of Alaba by swapping Munich for Madrid.

Image via Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Upamecano has entered the final 10 months of his Bayern Munich contract, and at this stage, a renewal does not seem close. The reigning Bundesliga champions will not break the bank with their offer(s), which means that it is very possible that he departs next July. Real Madrid do like him, so there is a chance that a move is made.

Real Madrid have decisions to make on their preferred target

It’s expected that Real Madrid will only sign one centre-back next summer, even if Rudiger and Alaba depart. They have Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni and Joan Martinez as options, so there is no need to replace both players if they were to move on in 2026.

As a result, Real Madrid will need to make a decision on who is best suited to join Xabi Alonso’s squad. Konate is their leading target, but there is an argument to suggest that Upamecano would be a better addition, given that he has been an excellent performer for Bayern over the last couple of years.

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