Real Madrid have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as one of three centre-back targets.
Los Blancos are keen to strengthen their backline this season after seeing their lack of depth exposed following injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao.
Alaba spent over a year on the sidelines before he returned to action in January, while Militao is out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Those injuries created an opportunity for academy product Raul Asencio to establish himself as part of Carlo Ancelotti‘s squad.
While Asencio has proven to be a valuable member of the squad, Real Madrid are still expected to add to their current central defensive options, which also include former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.
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Real Madrid targeting Romero
According to TEAMtalk, Real Madrid are considering Romero as one of three central defensive targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Los Blancos have been admirers of Romero for some time, and they now appear to be weighing up whether to step up their interest this summer.
The report claims that Romero does not have a release clause in his contract, with Tottenham likely to demand in excess of £60m to part ways with the Argentine.
Tottenham are aware of Real Madrid’s interest and could look to extend his contract which is currently set to expire in the summer of 2027.
Real Madrid will be able to offer Romero the chance to play Champions League football, although the player is not believed to be pushing for a Tottenham exit.
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Who else are Real Madrid targeting?
In addition to Romero, the reigning European champions are said to be considering Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as one of their three centre-back targets.
The Toffees will demand over £70m to consider selling a player who is under contract until June 2027, with an option to extend by a further year.
Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah is the third and final player on Real Madrid’s shortlist for the summer transfer window.
Tah the cheaper option of the three players on Real Madrid’s radar, with the Germany international set to become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season.
However, Tah appears to be on course to join Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona, having reportedly turned down a potential move to Bayern Munich to join Hansi Flick‘s side ahead of the 2025-26 season.
