Only one can remain: there are 5 candidates to succeed David Alaba at Real Madrid

David Alaba's future seems increasingly distant from Real Madrid for two major reasons: his contract and his constant injuries. The center-back arrived as a free agent at Bernabéu in 2021 after his contract with Bayern ended, which was a masterstroke by Florentino Pérez. His first two seasons were excellent, playing 46 and 39 matches respectively and delivering a very consistent performance.

However, starting in 2023, he began a physical ordeal that has clearly affected his continuity at Real Madrid. In the last two and a half seasons, David Alaba has missed 98 matches, a figure that reflects the extremely complicated situation he is going through. This scenario, combined with the fact that his contract is ending, is the definitive proof that the Austrian center-back will leave Bernabéu for good in the summer.

Florentino Pérez knows that David Alaba won't remain in the squad, so Real Madrid will have to find a suitable replacement in the transfer market. The squad includes players like Huijsen, Militao, Rüdiger, and Asencio in that position, but it needs a complementary profile that guarantees depth. The search has begun and the club is considering 5 candidates capable of taking on an important role starting next season.

The 5 names Real Madrid are considering to replace David Alaba

According to various reports, the names being considered by the sporting management are Joan Martínez, Jacobo Ramón, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, and Nico Schlotterbeck. Each of them has different characteristics, but all possess the ability to join Real Madrid and perform immediately. The competition will be intense because the club wants to secure a decisive signing with no margin for error.

The youth product Joan Martínez stands out for his ball distribution and reliability in duels, being a young option with very interesting potential. Jacobo Ramón, currently at Como, offers physical power, positional awareness, and the ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. Upamecano, who will leave Bayern as a free agent in the summer, is an experienced center-back whose speed and aggressiveness make him a very attractive profile.

However, the two favorites are Ibrahima Konaté and Nico Schlotterbeck, two proven top-level center-backs. The Frenchman would bring defensive leadership and unique physical strength. Meanwhile, the German could be the perfect complement for Huijsen if Xabi Alonso wants to enhance ball distribution from the back.

What seems clear is that David Alaba won't remain in the squad after 2026. From a sporting perspective, he is far from the level required to play for Real Madrid and, to make matters worse, he is one of the highest-paid players in the squad. His departure is decided, so now all that's left is to find out the name of his replacement, who will be chosen from Joan Martínez, Jacobo Ramón, Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, or Nico Schlotterbeck.