Real Madrid have reportedly identified five possible centre-back targets for the summer of 2022.
Carlo Ancelotti's side welcomed David Alaba to the club following his exit from Bayern Munich, but the formidable pairing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane was broken up as the two defenders left for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively.
Los Blancos also have Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez capable of featuring in the heart of defence, but the club are expected to be in the market for defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2022-23 season.
According to Fichajes.net, Real Madrid have now drawn up a five-man transfer shortlist comprising Pau Torres, Milan Skriniar, Antonio Rudiger, Marquinhos and Matthias Ginter for next summer.
Rudiger is yet to pen an extension on his Chelsea deal which expires in 2022, but Skriniar is supposedly close to agreeing a new deal with Inter Milan until the summer of 2025.
Torres, meanwhile, remained at Villarreal over the summer despite reported interest from Real and Man United, while Ginter is due to become a free agent next year and recently admitted that he has not been offered an extension by Borussia Monchengladbach yet.
Real Madrid have claimed 13 points from their first five games of the new La Liga season, although they have already shipped seven goals in league action.
