Real Madrid pondered summer move for 18-year-old Dutch prodigy before his renewal

Real Madrid saw their priority centre-back target Leny Yoro sign for Premier League giants Manchester United this Thursday.

Even though the Merengues appeared to be in the driver’s seat as far as the race for his transfer was concerned, their reluctance to shell out the big bucks eventually led to Lille selling him to United.

It has left Real Madrid in limbo with regard to their plans for the centre-back signing. As things stand, the news coming from the club is that nobody will be signed unless a bargain option comes up.

Real Madrid considered signing Jorrel Hato
As far as some of the names on Real Madrid’s radars are concerned, Al-Nassr’s Aymeric Laporte is said to be on the agenda, with the Spaniard understood to be keen on a return to Europe.

Meanwhile, a report from AS states that Real Madrid also considered making a move for Ajax teenage prodigy Jorrel Hato but abandoned the idea after he signed a new contract.

Hato, who turned 18 in March this year, has already become a regular for Ajax, racking up 61 senior appearances despite his young age.

Like Yoro, he was also followed by Real Madrid as his contract was set to expire in 2025 and he fit the profile that the Spanish champions were looking for.

However, soon after he turned 18 in March, Ajax swiftly moved to hand him a new contract, securing his future until 2028. With that, Hato’s name was taken off the table at Real Madrid.

Another name that has been touted as an option is Union Berlin’s Diego Leite, who Real Madrid have watched in the past and could be available for €18 million.

As things stand, though, Real Madrid are calm about the situation and are counting on David Alaba to recover while also being prepared to rely on Aurelien Tchouameni as an option at centre-back.