Real Madrid are reportedly considering a summer swoop for Atalanta’s Joakim Maehle as a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.
According to a report from Fichajes, La Liga giants Real Madrid are plotting a raid on Serie A outfit Atalanta for the potential signing of Joakim Maehle in the summer of 2022.
Maehle came through the youth ranks at Danish outfit Aalborg BK and after an impressive season with the first-team, was snapped up by Belgian bigwigs KRC Genk in 2017. The 24-year-old spent three years at the club, racking up 130 appearances in which he scored six goals and set up 22 more before Atalanta signed him in January earlier this year.
Having arrived in Italy, Maehle has been a regular in the side for Gian Piero Gasperini, featuring 32 times in which he has two assists. The 24-year-old also enjoyed an impressive run at the UEFA Euro 2020 where he helped Denmark reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Alerted by his growth at club and international level, Real Madrid had shown an interest in Maehle in the summer but did not act upon it. However, that could be set to change next year as Los Blancos view the Atalanta wing-back as the ideal replacement for long-serving defender Dani Carvajal.
The Spaniard has been struggling with injuries over the past year which has left Real Madrid exposed in the right-back department. Alvaro Odriozola was allowed to leave on loan for Fiorentina despite there being a lack of proper cover. Carlo Ancelotti has used Nacho in the position to mixed results while Lucas Vazquez seems to be overlooked by the Italian tactician.
As a result, it has become imperative that Real Madrid address the issue at the earliest. While free agent Serge Aurier has been linked as an immediate fix, the Merengues are also looking at long-term replacements for Carvajal who can make the position their own for years to come.
Maehle, to that end, has emerged as a viable option, although he is not the only possibility that Real Madrid are considering at the moment. Indeed, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Diogo Dalot are all being looked at as Ancelotti & co. work to find a fix for their right-back issues.
What now remains to be seen is if Real Madrid are able to snare away Maehle, who is contracted with Atalanta till the summer of 2025 or if they are forced to consider alternate options.