The Hard Tackles takes a look at a few ideal destinations for Eder Militao, with Real Madrid considering a loan move for their defensive asset.
As we head towards the final stretch of the season, the title in La Liga is nicely shaping up. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have made an excellent recovery, but everything points to a busy summer ahead of them as the respective rivals look to speed up their transitional phase with some activity in the transfer market.
Real Madrid, for one, are expected to make multiple changes to their squad, with Zinedine Zidane keen on a number of players, including David Alaba and Erling Haaland among many others.
At the same time, though, the Spanish giants are expected to offload some of their fringe players, with a recent exclusive report from Madrid based news outlet Defensa Central, claiming that Los Blancos are considering a loan move for Eder Militao.
The Whites believe that the Brazilian has not shown his true potential after joining the club from FC Porto. The player has struggled with a host of injury-related issues while also falling behind the likes of Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Nacho in the pecking order.
As such, the club is open to allowing Militao a loan move away from Santiago Bernabeu next season, in search of a bigger breakthrough in European football. And here, at The Hard Tackle, we will figure out the best possible destinations for the Real Madrid centre-back, should he embark on a loan journey in the upcoming campaign.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid share an excellent relationship, partly due to the two clubs’ frequent meetings in the UEFA Champions League as well as the fact that they have done a lot of business over the past decade, including Nuri Sahin, as well as the loans of Achraf Hakimi and Reinier, who is still on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
While Reinier hasn’t had much luck in North-Rhine Westphalia, Dortmund were indeed integral to Hakimi’s rapid rise to prominence, with his loan success in the Bundesliga helping Los Blancos pocket a sizable amount from his sale to Inter Milan last summer.
The Spanish giants could fancy their chances once again by loaning another defender in Militao to Dortmund this summer.
Bereft of depth in the central defensive slot, combined with recent speculations suggesting Manchester United’s interest in Manuel Akanji, the Black and Yellows will be in the market for a new centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window – someone who can compete with the likes of Emre Can and Dan-Axel Zagadou while partnering Mats Hummels.
That is where Militao could turn out to be an excellent option, as the Brazilian not only boasts terrific defensive prowess but is also supremely comfortable with the ball at his feet.
In fact, the Real Madrid star specializes in threading long balls out from the back, which should tune in well alongside Hummels. In addition, Militao’s terrific athleticism, aerial and physical prowess should make him an ideal replacement for Akanji, although the defender can be overeager, at times.
Borussia Dortmund, however, will be wary of Militao’s poor injury record during his time at Bernabeu and most importantly, they will certainly look for a buyout clause should Real Madrid agree to loan him to the Bundesliga this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur
Much like Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur have also done a lot of business with Real Madrid recently, including the loan signing of Gareth Bale as well as the arrival of Sergio Reguilon last summer. Historically, both Bale and Luka Modric used to play for Spurs before joining the Spanish giants within the last decade.
As far as Militao is concerned, he might turn out to be an excellent buy for Jose Mourinho, who is actively searching for a new defender in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Portuguese mastermind hasn’t had much luck with the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld, all of whom have lacked consistency in their game this season.
As for the young duo of Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga, they have either struggled with injuries or a lack of game-time. Militao, in that regard, should serve as an excellent alternative for these defenders due to his wide range of skillset that could appeal to Mourinho.
As iterated earlier, the Brazilian is quite strong when it comes to the aerial and physical side of the game that should serve him well in the physically astute nature of the Premier League. His overall work-ethic in the defensive third should also make him a tailor-made fit in Mourinho’s defence-oriented tactical philosophy.
In addition to his defensive skills, Militao offers much more composure and quality on the ball compared to both Dier and Sanchez, although much like Dortmund, Tottenham too will be hoping for a buyout clause if they do consider signing the Real Madrid star on loan this summer.
Manchester United
The second Premier League club to feature on this list, Manchester United narrowly edge Juventus because of the fact that the English giants can offer Militao much more game-time than the Bianconeri, who already have a bunch of quality centre-backs and are infamous for their reliance on ageing stars.
At United, however, things are starting to get desperate as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues his search for a proper alternative for Victor Lindelof, whose lack of consistency, coupled with a sub0par physical stature has left the Red Devils vulnerable in defence time and time again this season.
In Militao, Solskjaer would find himself an ideal alternative, who can offer the technical brilliance and quality in the build-up alongside the more robust nature of club captain Harry Maguire.
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At the same time, the Brazilian offers more resilience in regards to physical and aerial duels compared to Lindelof. Although he might not be as domineering as Eric Bailly, it is fair to point out that the Ivorian faces an uncertain future at the club, making Militao all the more important, should United look for a cost-effective replacement.
Having said that, the Red Devils have been linked with rather expensive options like Jules Kounde and Pau Torres, so it remains unlikely that they will set their sights on Militao despite being previously being linked with a move for the Real Madrid centre-back.
