Real Madrid looks to the future with the same ambition with which it has built its history. Although the season is not over yet, the club is already making moves to strengthen its squad. Despite its success, it needs adjustments in some key positions, and one of them is the left-back.
Marcelo: A difficult void to fill
Since Marcelo's departure, the club hasn't found a clear heir. Ferland Mendy has fulfilled his role, and Fran García has brought energy, but neither has fully become the undisputed owner of the left flank. At Bernabéu, they know this, and that's why the search continues.
Juni Calafat, the man behind signings like Vinícius, Rodrygo, or Valverde, has been analyzing profiles that fit Madrid's philosophy for some time. Young players, with talent, personality... and, of course, with a style reminiscent of what Marcelo was: fantasy, technique, and imbalance from the wing.
The name that seduces the club
One of those names that has captured all the attention is Nuno Mendes, current left-back of Paris Saint-Germain.
Not only for his talent but also for what he has said publicly. In a recent interview, the player confessed: “My idols have always been David Alaba and Marcelo.” In Madrid, that phrase has caused excitement.
His profile fits. Explosive, technical, with an offensive vision but also solid at the back. At 22 years old, Nuno Mendes represents exactly what Madrid is looking for, he is not just a good left-back: he is a player with the soul of a star.
An almost impossible desire
But there is a problem and it's big. PSG has just renewed Mendes until 2029. That not only makes his signing more expensive but also almost completely removes him from Real Madrid's radar.
Moreover, the relations between both clubs have been completely broken for some time. Florentino doesn't negotiate with Al-Khelaifi. In Paris, they have no intention of selling one of their most promising assets to the white club.
Alternatives and possible exits
In this scenario, Madrid doesn't sit idly by. Although Nuno Mendes is the ideal, Juni Calafat is studying other profiles. There are several names on the table, and everything will also depend on the movements in defense.
Rüdiger and Alaba are already in the final stretch of their careers. Mendy and Fran could leave if an attractive offer arrives. The club doesn't want to improvise, but it does want to anticipate the changes that are coming.