Will Real Madrid re-sign Sergio Ramos after Éder Militão ACL injury?

Sergio Ramos is being linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid after central defender Éder Militão was ruled out long term with a serious knee injury - but as the LaLiga club weighs up its next move, Los Blancos’ former captain appears to be only an outside option.

What injury does Militão have?

Before Militão suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday’s win over Osasuna - the second time the Brazilian has suffered such an injury in just over a year - Madrid chiefs were already considering whether to make a mid-season signing to bolster their center-back options. Now, with Militão facing a nine-month injury layoff, the Spanish and European champions have been left with no option but to dip into the market.

Two avenues are open to Madrid: they can sign a free agent right away, or wait until the January transfer window to purchase a player from another club.

Support for Ramos Real return - but relationship with Pérez in tatters

When it comes to avenue No. 1, Madrid are less than enthused by the range of central defenders who are currently unattached. Indeed, the club feels there are no free agents out there who meet their high standards. The only option with any chance appears to be Ramos, 38, who has been without a club since leaving Sevilla in the summer. As things stand, however, it is unlikely that the veteran will rejoin Madrid, three years after bringing his illustrious, 15-season spell at the club to an end. Significantly, the former Spain star would have to mend his broken relationship with Madrid’s club president, Florentino Pérez, before returning to the Bernabéu.

That said, there is support among the Madrid fans for Ramos’s return, and there are figures within the club who feel it is by no means a hare-brained idea to contemplate his signing.

And Guti, Ramos’s former Madrid team-mate, declared on Spanish TV on Saturday: “You need to go out and buy someone - and Sergio Ramos doesn’t have a club. He can play in central defense and at right-back, and wouldn’t cost anything. I think it’s a no-brainer. If you want to go out into the market and sign a central defender for the next decade, paying a big transfer free, then fine. But if you want a short-term solution to fill a hole, why make a signing where you don’t know what you’re going to get? I’d rather bring in Sergio Ramos: a guy who has been at the club, who played last season, who has kept himself in good shape and can do a job for the next six months?”

Last season, Ramos made 37 appearances in all competitions for Sevilla, accumulating a total of 3,301 minutes of game time, and scored seven goals. Since parting company with the Andalusians on July 1, Ramos has been a target for Boca Juniors, but the Argentinian giants have failed to convince the World Cup winner to move to South America. Also reluctant to go to Saudi Arabia, Ramos is understood to be keen to stay in Europe and has continued to train individually as he seeks a new employer.

What other free-agent options are there?

Ramos aside, the free-transfer options that have flashed up on Madrid‘s radar include Simon Kjaer (35), Álvaro González (34) and Omar Rekik (22), but they aren’t much to the club’s liking. Ultimately, Madrid’s defensive transfer strategy appears to come down to a choice between signing Ramos now, or waiting until January to pursue non-free agents - and the latter is shaping up as much the likelier outcome. Madrid bosses feel the team can soldier on with Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchoumanéni as first-choice center-backs for now (with Tchouaméni’s return from an ankle injury pushed forward). Head coach Carlo Ancelotti can also draft youngsters such as Jacobo Ramón and Raúl Asencio into the defense when needed. While hardly an ideal state of affairs, it would only be for a matter of weeks - and Madrid already know who their targets would be in the mid-season window.

Who could Real Madrid sign in central defense in January?

Aymeric Laporte

A player Los Blancos unsuccessfully tried to sign in the summer, Aymeric Laporte is Madrid’s chief central-defensive target. Their failure to land the Al Nassr player in the off-season was not because he wasn’t interested; he wanted to move to the Bernabéu, and told AS in January that he was “disappointed” with life in Saudi Arabia. Madrid have come up against an unwillingness to sell Laporte, and will have to pay a high price if they want to land the French-born 30-year-old.

Castello Lukeba

Madrid are also very keen on RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, who impressed with his performance against the Spanish club in March, in a Champions League tie that saw Leipzig push the eventual tournament winners to the limit. The 21-year-old, who has continued to excel since then, would be available for around €40 million ($43 million) - a significant sum, but one that would net Madrid a player with a big future. From within the club, indeed, it has even been suggested that Los Merengues could end up moving for Lukeba ahead of Laporte.

Vitor Reis

In the running just behind Laporte and Lukeba is Vitor Reis, a less established option. Since breaking into the first team at Brazilian club Palmeiras, the 18-year-old’s performances have generated huge expectations for the future - but he would represent more of a gamble than the duo above. Madrid have been keeping close tabs on Reis, who is also attracting interest from clubs such as the Premier League pair Liverpool and Chelsea. Under contract until 2028, he has a €100 million ($107 million) release clause at Palmeiras; clearly, Madrid would have to attempt to negotiate a lower fee.

Valentín Gómez

Like Reis, Valentín Gómez is a center-back target who is far from tried and tested, but is showing great promise. The 21-year-old plays for Argentinian side Vélez Sarsfield, where he is emerging as a key player. A battling defender who is quick and brings the ball out effectively, his market value is estimated at around €10 million ($10.7 million) - but reports in South America suggest Vélez will seek a transfer fee considerably higher than that. A youth international with Argentina, Gómez is expected to make the move to Europe in the near future. Madrid are maintaining a close eye on the youngster, who is their fourth-choice January option.