Real Madrid target £45million right-back months after Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer

Real Madrid have been told that they are absolutely right to keep an eye on wing-back Wesley França following his start to life at Roma.

The 22-year-old is already said to be on the radar of the Spanish giants after scoring three goals in his first 13 Serie A matches.

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Wesley, who only made his Brazil debut this year, impressed for Flamengo at the Club World Cup before moving to Europe.

The defender, who starred in a 3-1 win over Chelsea, snubbed interest from Juventus to emulate Cafu in linking up with the Giallorossi.

According to reports, Barcelona and Real Madrid are already watching Wesley with keen interest, having helped Roma launch a title bid.

European football broadcaster Andy Brassell isn’t surprised by the interest, but believes a transfer next month looks unlikely.

He exclusively told talkSPORT.com: “If you sign Wesley, it’s not just that he’s a right-back and right-wing back. He’s played left-back and left-wing back as well for Roma. So, he looks pretty versatile.

“I would be surprised if he went in January. Now, I think part of it is Roma’s availability issues, really.

“In the medium term, if they were to get a big offer for Wesley, and they paid €25 million (£21m) for him, so it would need to be big.

“It would need to be a substantial profit. I think you’re looking up to maybe the €40-50m (£35-45m) mark, and they’d sell.

“Obviously, they’re not in the strongest financial position ever. But they’ve got Devyne Rensch as well.

“They’ve got Angelino when he comes back, even though it’s been suggested that he’s not really Gian Piero Gasperini’s cup of tea. So, they do have other options.

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Real Madrid watching Wesley

“With the money they were going to get for Wesley, if they were to double or almost double their money, they’d be in a good position to go out and replace him,” Brassell continued to talkSPORT.

“That’s definitely one to watch going forward. Wesley’s been impressive.

“Compared to a lot of wing-backs who are out there, what really impresses me about Wesley is not only the adaptability, that he can play right and left, and he’s very skilled in the attack. He can actually defend as well.

“It’s obviously more of a high-level and physical challenge now as well, and I think he’s adapted to Roma pretty quickly as well.

“So, yeah, Real Madrid are absolutely right to keep an eye on him.”

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What does this mean for Trent?

Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t be relishing links to another right-back as he recovers from his second injury as a Madrid player.

The ex-Liverpool man is not expected back from an ankle issue until next year, having also missed six weeks with a hamstring problem.

He was recently ranked as having made the worst start of 10 English stars to have completed overseas transfers last summer.

The 27-year-old had finally registered his first assist for Madrid this month before suffering his latest injury later that same game.

However, Brassell argued that Wesley’s versatility, coupled with doubts over Dani Carvajal‘s long-term future, might not mean bad news for Alexander-Arnold.

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Real Madrid need defensive options

“We don’t know how long Carvajal’s going to be able to go on for. Been out injured again, of course, recently, since coming back.

“If I was Real Madrid, I’d be looking at really trying to avoid Federico Valverde playing right-back. We know he can do a really good job.

“We know he’s got the engine to power from deep. But they miss him so much in midfield when he’s not in midfield.

“If you’re talking about the defensive solidity of the team, the composition of the midfield is a huge part of that. And I think that’s quite easily missed.

“They don’t want to Joshua Kimmich him just because he’s capable there. They don’t want him to play there on the regular.

“Clearly, you need cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been good in patches, but of course, has suffered those two big injuries.

“Hopefully for him, he’ll be back, but he’s still adapting to Spanish football. So, I think Carvajal, if he can get fit, is the ideal competitor slash sub for him in the meantime.

“But if we’re looking at the long term, Real Madrid do need defensive options. Because I think you look at left-back as well.

“Alvaro Carreras has been their best signing this summer. He did great at Benfica. He’s looked the part at Real Madrid. He’s looked really, really ready for it.”

“Someone who they dropped a fair old chunk of change on, but wasn’t someone who you had to play all the time,” Brassell continued.

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“He wasn’t a superstar. And Wesley won’t turn up as a superstar as well.

“He might turn up as an expensive player if he comes, but he won’t turn up as an absolutely cannot leave this guy out sort of a superstar.

“I think the political pressure to pick someone comes more from their profile rather than the fee spent on them when you’re talking about Real Madrid.

“So I could see it happening in the medium term if it was the right money for Roma.

“I would trust Real Madrid actually to ease him in in the right way.”