Real Madrid is undergoing a major defensive overhaul, parting ways with three stars and signing two new players.

This will allow the club to strengthen squad depth without transfer fees, as both contracts expire at the end of the season. However, Real Madrid will face intense competition from other clubs seeking to retain the two defenders with lucrative contract extensions.

Fichajes states that the aim of this "major overhaul" is to create a reliable rotation system revolving around four players: Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, Upamecano, and Konaté. This lineup will enable coach Alonso to switch flexibly between a traditional four-back formation or a three-center-back system depending on the opponent and tactical requirements for each game.

The departures of Rüdiger and Alaba are also viewed as a generational change in Real Madrid’s defense. The management believes the playing style of these veterans no longer aligns with Alonso’s new tactical vision. Similarly, Raúl Asencio has failed to meet the physical and tactical adaptation standards, making it difficult for him to secure a spot in the long-term plans.

The arrival of Upamecano and Konaté is expected to inject new energy into the defense, increase internal competition, and guarantee stability across various competitions. Together with Huijsen and Militão, this pair can alternate appearances, helping Real maintain steady form even when facing injuries, overload, or tactical shifts.

It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will succeed with this transfer strategy, as the contract situations of the two French targets have made the market extremely competitive, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich also closely monitoring every development.