Marca: Real Madrid’s visa-free picks for central defender reinforcements next summer are Konate, Upa and Guei

Hupu News on October 10, according to Spanish media "Marca" Real Madrid reporter Jose Felix Diaz, the reporter updated Real Madrid's signings for the central defender position next summer.

For Real Madrid, judging from the signings of the central defender position next summer, the contracts of three players are about to expire, which means that if Real Madrid wants to introduce them, they do not need to pay high transfer fees. However, Real Madrid has regarded Castilla's 17-year-old Juan Martinez as the core of its future defense. The young central defender, after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury in August 2024, is currently being guided by Alberoa to carefully polish his career.

Liverpool, worried about losing Konate, has already taken action in advance. Real Madrid chose to sit still and wait for the opportunity to sign the French central defender for free next year. It is reported that the 26-year-old Konate is always the first choice in Real Madrid's signing list. Discussions about the Liverpool France international have been going on for a long time. Liverpool, because of Konate's delay in refusing to renew his contract, began to suspect that his relationship with Real Madrid was not just a rumor.

In addition, two players whose contracts are about to expire have entered Real Madrid's sights recently: Bayern's center back Upamecano has been recommended to Real Madrid. In recent years, Bayern has repeatedly encountered players leaving the team without visas. Although Upamecano has been rumored to have transfer rumors with Real Madrid many times, he is not Real Madrid's priority signing target. However, scouting reports indicate that his movement and game reading have improved.

The last person to make the list was Guey, who Liverpool almost signed at the last moment before the summer window closed. With only eight months left on his contract with Crystal Palace, he was expected to be Liverpool's buzzer-beater signing, but failed to do so due to administrative procedural issues. Since then, his name has been associated with Real Madrid. However, Real Madrid's recruitment strategy still puts Konate at the top of the list.

These three central defenders have similar characteristics: they are all in the prime period of their careers and have become the focus of the transfer market with their expiring contracts. Their combination of strength and mobility perfectly fits the requirements of modern football for centre-backs.