LOS BLANCOS PLOT 2026 MOVE FOR THREE FREE DEFENSIVE STARS

Real Madrid are plotting free transfers for THREE elite defenders in 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, Bayern's Dayot Upamecano & Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

Los Blancos Plot 2026 Move for Three Free Defensive Stars
Photo Credit: Getty Images

In recent seasons, Real Madrid has established a reputation as the master of free transfers.

The La Liga powerhouses have taken advantage of contract expirations to land important acquisitions, such as swoops for Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool ended in June; thus, their 2025 pursuit of him was predicated on a free transfer.

To break his connection to Anfield and get him on board in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, the club was ultimately compelled to pay a release price.

Even though the team has the largest transfer budget in Spain, club president Florentino Perez is cautious when it comes to spending money and could afford to do a complete defensive overhaul.

Both Rudiger and Alaba's contracts expire at the end of the 2025–2026 campaign, and it is now highly uncertain if they will be renewed.

The additions of Trent, Alvaro Carreras, and Dean Huijsen have expanded Xabi Alonso's options, but he lacks enough central defence cover.

If Rudiger and Alaba depart, Hujsen, Raul Asencio, and Eder Militao may be his only assets. Three targets, all of whom have contracts expiring in June 2026, are being targeted.

Real Madrid is preparing offers for Konate, Guehi, and Upamecano.

With Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, and Marc Guehi all in their sights, Real Madrid is aiming to avoid spending any money on defensive transfer fees following William Saliba's decision to extend his contract at Arsenal.

Due to rumours that he wants to join his France teammate Mbappe in Madrid, Konate has decided against a renewal at Liverpool. Guehi, Arne Slot's replacement target, may also choose Madrid over Merseyside.

One major obstacle in the Konate negotiations is frustration with Liverpool's pay offer, while Guehi is reportedly incensed at the Reds' failure to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace before the summer transfer deadline.

Real Madrid will only contemplate a free transfer, according to talkSPORT reports, even if Palace sought to sell its captain in January to secure a transfer price.

The third choice is Upamencano of Bayern Munich, who is stalling over negotiations in Bavaria.

Real Madrid will make offers to all three, according to European football analyst Andy Brassell, but completing a triple deal will be extremely challenging.

"If we look at Real Madrid's pay bill, they have drastically reduced it over the last five to six years; therefore, I find it hard to believe all three will leave.

"Why would you engage in a very difficult transfer war with Arsenal for Saliba if you could acquire even two of those three players—Guehi, Upamecano, and Konate?

"You are receiving better value for your money, and in the modern world, that is what counts most to Real Madrid.

WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?

After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.

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Madrid confirms Endrick and Jacobo Ramón will rejoin the first-team squad this summer - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.

Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.

The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.

Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.

But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.

Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.

Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.

Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.

Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.

Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.

Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.

So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.

HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK

Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.

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Real Madrid fall eight points behind Barcelona after Betis draw - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.

Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.

People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.

This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.

Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.

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