Real Madrid is having a catastrophic season by their standards. The only ray of hope for them this season is UEFA Champions League, where they have been more than convincing with their performances.
Los Blancos sit 15 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the league and suffered a horrifying exit from the Copa del Rey earlier this season.
Much has been said about their style of play where they have apparently struggled to break down the oppositions.
Their defence has also let them down regularly when the opposition has netted late goals to hurt the Spanish Champions.
Raphael Varane has failed to deliver so far and Sergio Ramos has been playing the lone warriors role this season.
They have already conceded 29 goals in the league, which is more than twice of what FC Barcelona (13) or Atletico Madrid (12) have.
The 12-time-European-Champions would be out looking for a quality centre-back in the summer. Here are the five contenders to fill in the slot at the Bernabeu.
#5 Marquinhos
The Paris Saint-Germain defender is certainly among the best defenders of his age at the moment.
The Brazilian has been in sensational form for the French side in the past couple of years. Those who follow the Ligue 1 would know that the player is arguably the best centre-back in France alongside his teammate and compatriot Thiago Silva.
He is a fantastic tackler and passer of the ball. His hold up on the ball and dribbling have improved substantially. In 2017/18, the 23-year-old has made 33 appearances so far.
The defender has a passing accuracy of 92% in the league and took six defensive actions per game, winning 54% duels on an average this season.
The Brazilian has constantly been linked with a move away from Parc des Princes in the past few transfer windows.
Real Madrid has heavily been reported to be interested in the player recently. The Spanish supergiants would have to battle Manchester United for the player’s signature.
#4 Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti’s name on the list would be highly contentious. While many would argue the fact that Real have an esteem which would never let them sign a player from their arch-rivals.
However, IF any such move happens, Umtiti would not be the first player to have move directly between the two clubs. In the past, Luis Enrique, Luis Figo and Michael Laudrup have been involved in such transfer between the Spanish giants.
Don Balon have claimed that the French defender is unhappy with his current contract at the club and threatens to look for another club. The player is believed to be asking for a pay rise which would see him earning more than €9 million-a-year.
His buy-out clause which stands close to £54 million. Samuel Umtiti is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the business at the moment.
The defender has won 57% duels and boasts a passing accuracy of 92% with an average pass length of 18 metres in Spain.
He would be a quality addition to the Real side. Moreover, at his mentioned release clause he would be an absolute steal in the market. Therefore, a move for the French defender should not come as a surprise for the Bernabeu faithful.
#3 David Luiz
Until this season, there was never an issue between Chelsea and David Luiz.
The Brazilian centre-back was reportedly involved in an argument with Conte following their 3-0 away defeat by Serie A side AS Roma in the Champions League group stages in October.
Since then, the 30-year-old has barely featured under the Italian and was heavily linked with a potential move away from the club during the January transfer window.
Following the end of this season, he’ll enter the final year of his contract just like Cahill and given just how he’s fallen out with the boss, it’s unlikely that he’ll remain in West London beyond the current campaign.
He regularly attracts interest due to his versatility and at 30, the Brazilian is reaching the peak years of his career and would want to move if first-team football is guaranteed elsewhere.
Luiz, in the league, has a passing length of 22 meters and took seven defensive actions per game.
Real have also been reported to be interested in the player, earlier in January.
#2 Toby Alderweireld
Widely regarded as one of the best center-backs in the world, the Spurs man is on the target of Europe’s elites this summer. The player takes as much as five defensive actions per game in the league and has a passing accuracy of 86% in 2017/18.
The Belgian joined the English side in 2015 from Atletico Madrid. Recently, the defender was reported to be unhappy at the London club and demanded a pay-hike with immediate effect.
However, Spurs have often been criticised for their stringent pay-structure. The defender would enter the last year of his contract at the end of 2017/18 season.
Reports in England link the player with a potential move to rival clubs- Chelsea or Manchester United in the summer.
Real Madrid should cash in on the opportunity to sign the player this summer.
#1 Leonardo Bonucci
After a successful spell with Juventus, Bonucci secured a shocking move to AC Milan in 2017 even though some big clubs were looking for the defender.
The Italian regretted the decision within a few months after the club’s terrible run of form. Bonucci is clearly among the top three centre-backs in the game at present.
The 30-year-old is eyeing an exit from San Siro in the upcoming transfer window. The defender would certainly find takers given his abilities. In 2017/18, the defender has an average duel winning rate of 48% and took six defensive actions per game, domestically.
Real Madrid have already been reported plotting a move for the player in the summer.
The player has at least three more years lying in front of him. Los Blancos should not let an opportunity to sign such a player let go off easily.