Real Madrid revive pursuit of former defender currently playing in Serie A | OneFootball

Real Madrid are starting to take an interest in their former defender, Mario Gila, as they look to strengthen their defensive options in the upcoming summer transfer market, reports AS.

Despite not being a prominent topic in discussions, Gila has been quietly excelling at Lazio since his departure from Madrid in 2022.

He left the club for a fee of €6million, with Real Madrid securing 50% of his rights. Since joining Lazio, the 24-year-old has overcome early-season muscle problems and has become a regular starter for the team.

Important for Lazio

Under Marco Baroni, Gila has played an essential role, starting 13 consecutive Serie A matches.

While he is typically rested for Europa League fixtures, as the coach considers him crucial to Lazio’s league ambitions, his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed.

This has attracted attention, especially with Real Madrid currently facing a shortage of reliable centre-backs.

Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Mario Gila. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

In Madrid’s squad, only Antonio Rudiger, who is an undisputed starter, and recently promoted Raul Asencio are considered suitable for the position.

Jesus Vallejo has fallen out of favour, while Aurelien Tchouameni, although a talented midfielder, has been temporarily shifted to a defensive role.

Summer transfer story

However, Madrid’s management has made it clear that they will not pursue new signings during the January transfer window, instead focusing on the expected return of David Alaba in 2025.

Looking ahead to next summer, though, the situation may change. Real Madrid are likely to seek reinforcements for their defence, and Gila could be an attractive option.

While no formal discussions have taken place yet, Madrid’s interest in the player is growing. The financial terms are also favourable for the club.

This is because Lazio’s valuation of Gila would be around €14 million, but Madrid would only need to pay half of that amount, making the deal a potentially cost-effective solution for bolstering their defensive depth.