Real Madrid is facing a defensive crisis after Eder Militao suffered a devastating knee injury in their 4-0 victory over Osasuna. The Brazilian center-back, who was instrumental in the team’s defense, will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL and meniscus damage in his right leg. While Militao’s long-term absence is a major setback for the club, it also forces Real Madrid to find an immediate solution.
The injury occurred during a crucial match where Vinicius Junior’s hat-trick secured the win for Los Blancos. However, the victory came at a significant cost. Alongside Militao’s injury, Lucas Vazquez, who had replaced Dani Carvajal, was also forced off with an injury, leaving Real Madrid with only Antonio Rüdiger as their sole fit central defender. To make matters worse, Rodrygo Goes, who had just returned from injury, suffered a setback of his own.
With Militao out for the season, Real Madrid is now actively pursuing reinforcements for their defense. The club is prioritizing the signing of a central defender in the upcoming January transfer window. Three players are currently under consideration: Aymeric Laporte, Jonathan Tah, and Castello Lukeba.
Laporte, currently at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, is seen as the top target, but his release could cost €15 million, and negotiations may be complicated by Al Nassr’s high asking price despite the player’s desire to move. If that deal falls through, Real Madrid will shift their focus to Jonathan Tah. The German center-back, whose contract with Bayer Leverkusen is set to expire, could be available for around €20 million. Meanwhile, Castello Lukeba, the French Under-21 international at RB Leipzig, seems out of reach due to his high release clause of €90 million.
Real Madrid’s priority is to secure a reliable central defender as soon as possible to avoid a further deterioration of their defensive stability. While strengthening the right-back position, with a potential agreement for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer, is also on the agenda, the immediate focus is on addressing the Militao-sized gap in defense.
As Real Madrid navigates this challenging period, their focus remains on securing the right reinforcements to ensure they remain competitive in both La Liga and European competitions.
