'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Dayot Upamecano
RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano has a lot of admirers in Europe. That's owing to his exceptional performances for the Bundesliga outfit over the course of last season and particularly in their incredible run to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League last term.
Trending
Upamecano is perhaps the most aggressive defender on the list. He is strong, pacy and loves to drive ahead with the ball from the back and is crucial to RB Leipzig's attacking transitions. He is also an excellent passer of the ball. At 22-years-old, Upamecano also has his entire career ahead of him.
The Frenchman has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United as well. As such, if Real Madrid enter the race to sign him, it will drive his price further up. However, given all his attributes, Dayot Upamecano could be a long-term replacement for Ramos and as far as young defenders go, Los Blancos won't be able to find many players better than him.
#2 Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde is yet another Sevilla centre-back who has emerged as a transfer target for Real Madrid as they desperately seek to find a replacement for Sergio Ramos.
As per Defensa Central, the 22-year-old Frenchman is Zinedine Zidane's preferred long-term successor to Sergio Ramos. It didn't take much time for Jules Kounde to nail down a starting berth at Sevilla since joining from Bordeaux in the summer of 2019.
Sevilla played hardball with Manchester City when they came knocking for Kounde last summer and asked them to pay his release clause of €90 million. However, their financial condition hasn't improved since being hit strongly by the pandemic and as such, they could be forced into selling Kounde for a lesser amount.
#1 David Alaba
The most likely of the lot to take over from Sergio Ramos at the end of the season, David Alaba is expected to join the side in the summer. Despite playing a critical role in Bayern Munich's dominance in Europe and their winning the continental treble, the club and Alaba have not been able to see eye to eye over a fresh contract.
Alaba is now in the final months of his contract and is certain to leave the Bavarians in the summer. According to Marca, he has already agreed terms with Real Madrid and will sign a four-year deal in the summer.
While Alaba is far from a like-for-like replacement for Sergio Ramos, his versatility will be an added bonus to Zinedine Zidane's side. Alaba can play at centre-back and at left-back and has consistently produced the goods for Bayern Munich under Hansi Flick.
Alaba is pacy and intelligent. He often reads the game to perfection and will walk right into Real Madrid's first team should they secure his services.
