Real Madrid are willing to sell the defender because of Rodrygo's desire

Real Madrid are willing to sell Brazilian defender Eder Militao this summer, according to a report.

The defender missed more than seven months of the 2023/24 campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament back in August and has started just five games since returning to matchday selection in late March.

Antonio Rudiger impressed as the mainstay of Carlo Ancelotti's defence, while club captain Nacho Fernandez filled in well after David Alaba suffered a season-ending ACL injury in December.

Now, by saying Mundo Deportivoformer Porto player Militao could be offloaded in the summer transfer window, with Los Blancos bosses impressed with Aurelien Tchouameni's performance as a gap in central defence.

The report claims that Madrid's willingness to let the 26-year-old leave stems from their desire to keep Rodrygo. The Brazilian has been controversial in recent weeks for hinting at an exit from the Bernabeu at some point in the future, although he later stood up to clarify those comments, saying they were taken “out of context”.

With Kylian Mbappe expected to arrive in the summer and take up some of Rodrygo's minutes, it has been suggested that Madrid could drop Tchouameni from regular defence, which coupled with the impending retirement of Toni Kroos, has seen both Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde involved. roles in future seasons.

That would free up more space and time for Rodrygo, who has played a key role in Madrid's 2021/22 Champions League success with goals in dramatic wins over Chelsea and Manchester City.

Chouameni has made ten appearances for the defender in La Liga and the Champions League, including a 3-3 draw with Manchester City in the quarter-finals and a 3-2 Clasico win over Barcelona last month.

However, the French player will not take part in Saturday's European final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium due to injury.

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