Real Madrid eye Ruben Dias, Bastoni or Schlotterbeck as fourth centre-back

Real Madrid have already secured Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella for the upcoming season, but manager Jose Mourinho is still searching for a fourth centre‑back, with Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck listed as possible targets this summer. Ibrahima Konate arrived from Liverpool on a free transfer. Denzel Dumfries was signed from Inter. Marc Cucurella completed his move from Chelsea. Mourinho insists a second centre‑back is required even after Konate's signing. Early reports linked Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal and Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City, but neither has advanced.

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Ruben Dias, long‑time defensive partner of Gvardiol, is on the list. Alessandro Bastoni, previously pursued by Barcelona, also features. Nico Schlotterbeck carries a €60 million release clause, and Inter say he will stay. Schlotterbeck recently said he is fully focused on the World Cup. He added that he is aware of Real Madrid's interest.

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Mourinho values strong characters and leaders in his recruitment. Dias stands out as the most experienced of the three and likely has the biggest personality. Bastoni can shift to the left side and is praised for his ball‑playing ability, resembling Gvardiol and Calafiori.