Real Madrid are faced with a defensive crisis in both the short and medium term. In terms of the immediate future, the team has just one first-team defender available for the first game of the new year after Nacho Fernandez’s suspension.
Yet, the worry is around the medium term. With David Alaba joining Eder Militao on the sidelines with an ACL rupture, the Merengues are in dire need of a new name on defence and AS bring out a surprise option that the club are considering.
A Pearl in Brazil
As revealed by the Spanish outlet, Real Madrid see Zenit St Petersburg’s young defender Robert Renan as a promising option to rope in during the winter transfer market.
At just 20 years of age, he is one of the several Brazilian-rooted players Juni Calafat has been monitoring. His profile appeals to Real Madrid’s administration for three reasons.
For starters, his age is a big factor for he still has a lot to grow at 20 years of age. His high ceiling, coupled with his potential longevity and left-footedness comprise Real Madrid’s three points of interest.
Another crucial reason behind Real Madrid’s interest in Renan addresses the means of transfer. His market value is currently low, thus enabling a low-cost operation.
If not, Zenit would be willing to send the player on loan with a purchase option at the end of the season, a manoeuvre that gives Los Blancos the time to study the player and generate a clearer decision.
The one impedance
While the youngster does tick most of Real Madrid’s boxes, there is one fundamental hurdle that Real Madrid would have to deal with in his transfer.
Zenit St Petersburg, the player’s current employer, are owned by Gazprom which is a gas company under Russian state control.
In light of the war situation in Russia, the European Union and the United States of America rule that no transaction exceeding a value of €100,000 should be conducted with institutions linked to Vladimir Putin.
Over 28 European Clubs have completed such transfers without consequences regardless, but it could pose a problem for Real Madrid considering the size of the institution and the media attention they generate.
