Long-serving Real Madrid full-back Marcelo is being heavily linked with a summer move to Juventus. Here we look at three players who could replace the Brazilian for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
1. David Alaba
The quick rise of Alphonso Davies at left-back has suddenly made David Alaba a dispensable figure at Bayern Munich. Despite his struggles in Munich this season, the Austrian international is considered to be one of the best left-backs in the world. Alaba would represent the perfect Galactico signing to replace the outgoing Marcelo.
Alaba’s contract expires at the end of next season, and he is said to be looking for a new challenge. Replacing Marcelo at Real Madrid would certainly be a tempting challenge for him. According to Kicker, Los Blancos are interested in signing Alaba, although he will certainly not come cheap.
Another potential issue with the transfer could be the impact it has on the two young left-backs Real Madrid have in their ranks. Ferland Mendy, who arrived on a big-money transfer from Lyon last summer, is enjoying an impressive debut campaign.
While Sergio Reguilon, who is currently on loan at Sevilla, is another highly-rated left-back. Signing Alaba would probably mean selling one of Mendy and Reguilon for Real Madrid.
But Alaba is still only 27, he is in his peak and has many years at the top level left in him. He has exceptional quality and is also very versatile, and can play both in the midfield, and as a centre-back if need be.
Not only that, but Alaba has also shown his leadership qualities at Bayern Munich. Leadership is something the Real Madrid squad desperately lacks at the moment. Marcelo is an influential figure in their dressing room, and Alaba could replace him in that aspect as well if the Brazilian does leave in the summer.