Real Madrid: 6 cost-effective midfield targets in summer 2020

Real Madrid can’t make any major signings this summer, but they could use more depth in midfield.

If Real Madrid have one key need in the summer 2020 transfer market, then it is a backup defensive midfielder for the world-class, but overworked, Casemiro. Perhaps Eduardo Camavinga is Real’s defensive midfielder of the future, but if they want to sign the young standout, they’d have to make their move in 2021.

Los Blancos won’t be able to make major signings this summer if they want to be able to afford Kylian Mbappe, Camavinga, and their other top future targets. But here are six possible cost-effective midfield options for Real in 2020, including players they won’t have to buy.

Espanyol DM Marc Roca

Marc Roca should be at the top of Real Madrid’s list if they want to sign a backup defensive midfielder this summer. The Espanyol star should be affordable after his team’s last-placed finish. He can be bought at a major discount, well within what Los Blancos should be able to afford if they sell James Rodriguez and others.

Arsenal CM Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos will probably spend another year on loan at Arsenal. That’s clearly the best move for all parties involved, and Ceballos seems to be a perfect fit for the Gunners. He’s blossomed over the past couple of months under Mikel Arteta’s watch, becoming a crucial player for Arsenal as a midfield workhorse.

He could be that type of player for Real Madrid, too. Zinedine Zidane has already called back Martin Odegaard from his loan assignment at Real Sociedad, but there are rumblings Zidane could also want Ceballos for 2020-2021. I don’t buy it, but he’s a great player and would be free. It’s a possibility.