Real Madrid closely monitoring €35 million-rated Bundesliga defensive talent

Real Madrid have been placing particular emphasis on strengthening their defence in recent transfer windows, especially at centre-back.

In the summer of 2025, they signed Dean Huijsen for €58 million, while this past summer they brought in Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer.

Despite that, manager Jose Mourinho wanted to bring in another central defender, although it did not come to fruition.

But the recruitment process at the Santiago Bernabeu continues, with the club monitoring several young talents around the world with an eye on the future transfer windows.

Real Madrid tracking Finn Jeltsch
And, according to AS, one of the young prospects that Real Madrid are tracking is Finn Jeltsch, the 20-year-old German centre-back who plays for VfB Stuttgart.

The signing of a new defender is not an urgent need at the moment, as the Merengues currently have five centre-backs in their squad: Huijsen, Konate, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.

However, Rudiger is in the final year of his contract, while there are concerns about Militao’s fitness. As such, Real Madrid are paying particular attention to the centre-back market.

And, Jeltsch is one of the players being followed. The 20-year-old defender has been performing well for Stuttgart since joining them from Nuremberg in 2025 and, during this international break, received his first call-up to the German national team.

A modern-day defender
Jeltsch developed through the youth system at Nuremberg before moving to Stuttgart. He also impressed at youth international level, winning both the Under-17 World Cup and European Championship with Germany.

Following his move to Stuttgart in January last year, the youngster established himself quickly as a regular starter.

Last season, he accumulated almost 2,500 minutes, while this campaign he has started by playing almost every minute available and has also made his UEFA Champions League debut.

Jeltsch is a right-footed centre-back who generally operates on the right side of the defence. Comfortable in possession, he stands out more for carrying the ball forward than for his passing, although he is also capable of playing accurate long balls.

At 188 centimetres, he has a good physical presence. He was also noted for scoring regularly at youth level.

Jeltsch has a long-term contract with Stuttgart until the summer of 2030. For now, Real Madrid are only monitoring his development and there is no indication that it will turn into a formal approach.