Real Madrid could be interested in a new fullback in 2023, most likely in the summer transfer window.
Although they have one of the world’s best right backs in Dani Carvajal, one of the world’s best left backs in David Alaba, and a great defensive option on the left side in Ferland Mendy, they may want to sign a different profile.
Carvajal isn’t getting any younger, while Alaba is mostly a center back for Los Blancos. He is 30 years old himself.
Mendy is the real question mark, though. As much as he is appreciated for his defending and ball-carrying, he is clearly a cut below what Madrid usually have in their XI as far as technique goes.
His limited passing puts a lot of pressure on the other players, especially left winger Vinícius Júnior.
Since Vinicius Tobias could be the right back of the future to compete with Carvajal, the list of Real Madrid targets will be heavy on the left backs as potential Mendy replacements.
Here are five fullbacks the Merengue club could target in the coming transfer windows.
RB Leipzig LB Joško Gvardiol
Although 20-year-old World Cup and European Championship standout Joško Gvardiol is ideally a center back in a three-man defense, the Croatian defender is more than capable of standing out as a left back.
Gvardiol’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a player for Real Madrid to consider. They could use him in central defense with Alaba on the left, or they could test out Gvardiol on the left.
There are two issues with Gvardiol. Firstly, wouldn’t Real want a more attacking option than a CB converted to LB?
Secondly, Gvardiol could cost 90 million euros, based on the reported amount Chelsea offered RB Leipzig for him (Fabrizio Romano).
Gvardiol is so good, though, that he has to be kept in mind as a possible option.
Lyon RB Malo Gusto
There are a number of right backs in Ligue 1 worth Real Madrid’s attention, and surely Madridistas are still clamoring for an Achraf Hakimi reunion.
Malo Gusto may be the best option, though. He is only 18 years old and continues to be one of the top-performing fullbacks in Ligue 1 this season.
He is averaging 1.3 key passes per game for Lyon, via WhoScored, and he is improving defensively with 2.1 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game.
It is remarkable to find that kind of well-rounded talent starting every game for a top side in Ligue 1, but Gusto is producing at the highest level.
Real Madrid only sign youngsters who have the upside to be special, and Gusto is on that list.
What works against him is the fact that Real may already have Vinicius Tobias in mind, but Gusto is doing so well for Lyon that he has to be considered as a transfer target for Los Merengues to watch.
Bayern München LB Alphonso Davies
The real dream target – yes, even above PSG’s Hakimi – is Alphonso Davies. But he is a “pipe dream” because Bayern München would never let him go.
Then again, Real Madrid did end up with Toni Kroos and David Alaba, so anything is possible. Davies seems to be a different case, given that he is just 22 despite having years of world-class performances at the left back position.
Since Bayern won the Champions League in 2019/20, there isn’t a better left back in world football than Davies. Look no further than what he did to Ousmane Dembélé, a LaLiga superstar, in Bayern’s recent Champions League win over Barcelona.
An elite ball-carrying left back, Davies is vital to Bayern and is also an elite defensive player with how he reads the game and makes interventions.
His intelligent defending is far too underrated, perhaps because Bayern don’t get the same press as Premier League sides do.
Davies is a target to monitor for the future, just in case he ever wants to move to Madrid for a new challenge as Alaba did in 2021. Again, he is highly unlikely to move and will probably ink another extension to stay in München for the long haul, but he is worth Madridistas dreaming of.
Girona LB Miguel Gutierrez
Real Madrid still own 50 percent of Miguel Gutierrez’s rights after selling him to Girona this summer.
Miguel impressed at the end of the 2020/21 season and had some good performances to start the 2021/22 campaign, but Carlo Ancelotti eschewed him because of concerns regarding his defending.
After Real Madrid signed Antonio Rüdiger, allowing David Alaba to become an option at left back again, Real knew they had to let Miguel get starting experience elsewhere.
Miguel has two assists this season and is one of the best passing left backs in LaLiga, even at the age of 21. He makes flicks over the top of defenses and through balls like a midfielder.
Rayo Vallecano LB Fran García
Real Madrid also still own the rights to Fran García, who has impressed for Rayo Vallecano since the start of the 2021/22 season when they were promoted to LaLiga.
MARCA reports that Los Blancos actually prefer Fran to Miguel when it comes to bringing back a former academy player to compete with Mendy.
That’s probably because García is a better athlete and a more physical player. He can bring the defensive attributes that Ancelotti found lacking in Miguel, which is important since Real wouldn’t want too big of a drop-off in defensive quality between Mendy and his potential replacement.
The 23-year-old Rayo standout also has two assists this season, averaging more interceptions and key passes per game than his counterpart at Girona.
Source: thetrivelaeffect.com
