Three in, two out as Real Madrid finalise plans for huge defensive rebuild

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Feb 2026 18:40 GMT
4 min read

Real Madrid are planning to completely overhaul their centre-back department this summer, according to Spanish media.

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Despite investing heavily in the signings of Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold last year, Los Blancos' backline has been plagued by chronic instability this season.

The young Huijsen and Raul Asencio, often forced to start together because of injuries to the more experienced options, have made no shortage of mistakes this season, while Alexander-Arnold has not been fit - or good - enough to consistently start at right-back.

Current ETV

Nico Schlotterbeck

D (CL)

Dortmund

Nico Schlotterbeck

D (CL)

Dortmund

ETV Range

€33M - €40.4M

As a result, Real Madrid will yet again dip into the market for defenders, according to AS. Centre-backs will be the primary targets. Despite recent links with Luka Vuskovic and Cristian Romero, the Spanish giants have zeroed in on two options: Nico Schlotterbeck and Jacobo Ramon.

The latter only left the club in the summer, joining Cesc Fabregas' ambitious Como project. He has starred in Serie A this season, and Real Madrid consider exercising their €8 million buy-back clause a "real option."

Real Madrid 'close in' on Schlotterbeck

As for Schlotterbeck, the Spanish outlet claims that Real Madrid are "closing in" on the Germany international. He is likely to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer as it looks highly unlikely that he will extend his contract, which expires in 2027.

The third player who could become a regular fixture for Los Blancos next season is Castilla starlet Joan Martinez. The 18-year-old was already part of the first team during the 2024/25 pre-season and was actually considered ahead of Asencio in the pecking order.

However, Martinez tore his ACL before he could even get on the pitch for the senior side. He has consistently played for Castilla since his return, and Real Madrid are hopeful that he can belatedly make the step up to the first team in the summer.

Veterans Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba will make way for these three fresh faces, the report states. Both are out of contract in the summer and will not have their deals renewed.

Alaba's exit has been fully expected for months, but it is now also claimed that Rudiger is certain to leave the club, too, unless he can play consistently and prove his fitness in the final weeks of the season. There have been no talks with the former Chelsea star over fresh terms at this stage.

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