Real Madrid have already shown interest in Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga, but they also reportedly have eyes on Lille center midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
In Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco, James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio, and Fede Valverde, Real Madrid have one of the strongest midfields in world football. But the problem is that only Valverde and Asensio qualify as young talents, whereas the others are 27 or older.
As such, Real have shown a great deal of interest in signing young stars in the center of the park. Donny van de Beek has been strongly linked to a move from Ajax in the summer, and teenager Eduardo Camavinga is squarely on Florentino Perez’s radar after several dazzling performances for Rennes in Ligue 1.
Another Ligue 1 star has reportedly piqued Real’s interest, too. According to reports from ESPN FC and Diario AS, via Infinite Madrid on Twitter, Los Merengues are looking into Lille center midfielder Boubakary Soumare as an option.
Soumare has been fairly mediocre in Ligue 1 competition this season, but the 20-year-old truly shined brightly in the group stages of the Champions League.
Overshadowed by RB Salzburg sensation Erling Haaland, who was also on Real’s radar before Bundesliga clubs and Manchester United became more likely options due to the high price tag, Soumare excelled for Lille in European competition.
According to WhoScored.com, Soumare has flashed all-around ability in midfield with two interceptions per game and three dribbles completed per game in the Champions League. Those are sensational numbers for a center midfielder, and Soumare has also shown accurate passing in 2019-2020 with nearly 90% of his passes completed in Ligue 1 thus far.
Depending on the price tag, Soumare could be a great midfield option for Real Madrid next summer. At 20, Soumare has massive potential, and the French defensive midfielder has some similarities to Fede Valverde. He could be a great backup for Casemiro, as Real definitely need more reinforcements in the holding midfield for their superstar Brazilian, who is asked to do a lot.
If Camavinga’s price tag proves to be onerous, then Soumare could be a solid alternative to the Rennes star. He still needs to develop consistency, but Soumare clearly has the all-around quality to make an impact as a backup for Los Blancos in 2020-2021.