Real Madrid transfer targets summer 2024: Los Blancos linked with Spain defender

Following the signing of Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid are not expected to make huge dives into the market but the European champions still have one or two positions they may like to strengthen should an opportunity arise.

Here are the rumoured Real Madrid transfer targets for the final days of the summer 2024 window.

Real Madrid transfer targets summer 2024: Latest rumours

There's not much sign of action at Real Madrid as we head into the final days of the transfer window in Spain. Carlo Ancelotti seems pretty content with the state of a squad that only lost two competitive fixtures last season.

However, there are one or two areas where they do look a bit short, including in defence, following the departures of Nacho and Rafa Marin, especially with David Alaba still recovering from an ACL injury.

There had also been rumours about a new goalkeeper coming in. However, with Andriy Lunin now set to see out his contract until 2025, it's looking unlikely we'll see any developments on that front.

*Fees based on Transfermarkt's current valuations. Subject to change.

Hot rumours

Aymeric Laporte – Al-Nassr

Aymeric Laporte has emerged as a strong option should Real Madrid move for a defender. Despite swapping Manchester for Saudi Arabia in 2023, he managed to maintain his place in the Spanish national team, and impressed alongside Robin Le Normand as La Roja went all the way in Germany.

Still only 30, Laporte clearly still has plenty still to give at the highest level. He does still have two more years to run on his current deal at Al-Nassr, but reports suggest he is keen on a move back to Spain.

Athletic Club are believed to be interested in bringing him back to bolster their defensive options, but Real Madrid will believe the lure of Champions League football could be significant.

He'd certainly be a good and relatively affordable option for Los Blancos. In a summer when they've already signed Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, it's doubtful that Florentino Perez would want to also break the bank on a defender, so Laporte may be a more realistic target than some of the others they've been linked with.

Leon Goretzka – Bayern Munich

One new Real Madrid transfer link has emerged over the past week and that’s a Bayern Munich player, although not Alphonso Davies who has been widely touted as the long-term solution for Los Blancos at left-back.

Instead, it’s midfielder Leon Goretzka who has reportedly claimed he’d be interested in joining Real Madrid. That’s not exactly a wild statement given most players in Europe would entertain the idea of playing for arguably the biggest club in the world.

At this point, it’s unclear whether there is any serious interest from the Spanish side. Real Madrid haven’t made any serious moves to sign a midfielder this summer, but it’s true that their options have decreased from last year, following the retirement of Toni Kroos, while Luka Modric is now 38.

With Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga currently injured, Goretzka might be a useful short-term addition for the club, but he doesn’t feel like a player that the European champions really need as part of their longer-term plans.

Goretzka has reportedly fallen out of favour with new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany and appears open to the idea of a move as we approach the deadline in Europe. It'd still be a surprise were Los Blancos to make a late bid for the 29-year-old though.

Franco Mastantuono – River Plate

While Los Blancos may not necessarily end up making any more additions to their senior squad, they could turn their eyes towards another bright young South American wonderkid.

Buying up the best of the continent's talent at a young age has been a clear transfer strategy from Florentino Perez in recent years. While Real Madrid have tended to look more to Brazil than Argentina, things could change this summer with 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono reportedly on their radar.

A left-footed midfielder, who can also play as a forward, Mastantuono is already making waves in his homeland. He became River Plate's third youngest ever player when he made his debut in January and he scored his first goal the following month. That saw him break Javier Saviola's record as the youngest player to ever score for the club.

Saviola went on to play for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, but even if Los Blancos move for a player who is younger than Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal, Mastantuono won't be heading to Spain any time soon. FIFA rules mean he'd have to wait until his 18th birthday, which is not until August 2025, before completing any transfer to Europe.