Real Madrid are reportedly planning to move for a new centre-back during the January transfer window, with Al-Nassr's Aymeric Laporte viewed as a genuine target for the Spanish and European champions.
Los Blancos decided against replacing the long-serving Nacho over the summer, as there was hope that David Alaba would recover from his long-term knee problem before the end of 2024.
Alaba remains on the sidelines, though, and there are thought to be concerns when it comes to the Austria international, who has been out of action for almost a year with a serious injury.
Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger have been the team's starting centre-backs this season, with defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni also an option in that area of the field, but the former could now be needed as cover at right-back due to Dani Carvajal's season-ending knee injury.
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid have accepted that they need to address the squad issue in the middle of the campaign, and Laporte is viewed by the club as a serious target.
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Real Madrid 'to explore January deal for Laporte'
The report claims that 'no moves' have been made at this moment in time, but the Spain international could be offered the chance to secure a return to European football.
Laporte started his professional career with Athletic Bilbao, representing their first team between 2012 and 2018, before making the move to Manchester City, where he spent five years.
The 30-year-old featured on 180 occasions for the Citizens, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League during a highly-successful period.
Laporte surprisingly made the move to Al-Nassr in 2023, and he has featured on 48 occasions for the club, including nine appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.
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Would Laporte be a good signing for Real Madrid?
The defender remains a key man for Spain despite his move to Saudi Arabia, playing an important role in La Roja winning Euro 2024, while he has featured in every minute of their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign to date.
Laporte was on the scoresheet in a 3-0 success over Serbia on Tuesday night, and there is certainly an argument that he left European football too soon, so a return to one of the top leagues would not be a surprise.
The centre-back has a contract with Al-Nassr until June 2026, and the Saudi outfit will be determined to keep him for obvious reasons, but Real Madrid are a very difficult club to turn down.
Los Blancos are not often active in January, but situations out of their control have meant that a centre-back addition at the start of next year is needed, and Laporte would be a brilliant signing for the capital giants providing that the fee is not too high.
Matt Law
