Spanish outlet AS has reported that Real Madrid showed interest in 20-year-old defender Robert Renan, but a move for the Brazilian center-back is off the table for Los Blancos in the January transfer window. Zenit St. Petersburg and Inter de Porto Alegre have reached an agreement for a loan deal for the promising defender.
Since his transfer from Corinthians to Zenit St. Petersburg in January 2023, Robert Renan's progress has been gradual. Despite being recognized as one of the top young center-backs in Brazil, he has faced challenges in gaining substantial playing time with less than 1,500 minutes across 18 appearances for Zenit.
As the January transfer window approached, rumors circulated about Renan seeking a loan move away from the Russian club, capturing the attention of Real Madrid. The Merengues, in need of a center-back due to long-term injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba, explored options to strengthen their defensive unit.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's manager, faced a predicament with only two fit central defenders for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. While there were reports of Ancelotti considering using Aurelien Tchouameni as a makeshift center-back, the interest in natural central defenders, including Alessandro Bastoni, emerged on Real Madrid's radar.
Among the potential targets, Robert Renan was a viable option for Los Blancos. However, the report confirms that Real Madrid will not secure the services of the highly-rated Brazilian defender. Instead, Renan is set to join Inter de Porto Alegre on a season-long loan for the 2024 campaign, in an agreement between the Brazilian club and Zenit St. Petersburg.
With Renan off the table, Real Madrid will need to explore other avenues to reinforce their central defensive options in the January transfer window. The club's quest for defensive stability continues as they navigate the challenges of competing in multiple competitions in the latter half of the 2023/24 season.
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