Dreams of Joining Real Madrid: A Manchester City Hero’s Aspiration

Real Madrid finds itself in a pressing need for a new center-back following the unfortunate loss of Eder Militao to a serious ACL injury. The Brazilian’s absence could potentially extend throughout the entirety of the 2023/24 season, leaving a substantial void in the squad’s defensive lineup.

In light of Militao’s absence, Carlo Ancelotti’s defensive options are limited to three seasoned players: David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho. While all three are experienced and capable of consistent performance, their ages, all north of 30, raise concerns. Alaba’s own struggles with injuries last season further compound the situation.

Nonetheless, Real Madrid seems willing to take on the risk of entering the season with this defensive setup. This decision comes despite passing up an opportunity to acquire a center-back from Manchester City.

Aymeric Laporte, a standout figure at Manchester City, harbored dreams of transitioning to a larger club, ideally Barcelona or Real Madrid. However, reports from The Athletic indicate that neither of these Spanish giants pursued his signing.

Laporte’s tenure at Manchester City, initiated with a £57 million transfer in January 2018, saw him clinch 13 trophies over a span of five and a half years. While Laporte’s quality is undeniable, his recurring battle with injuries has been a notable challenge. Given Real Madrid’s ongoing fitness concerns, refraining from pursuing Laporte’s signing appears to be a prudent decision for Los Blancos.

With the current landscape of injuries and fitness issues, the decision to pass on Laporte aligns with Real Madrid’s cautious approach to bolstering their defense.