Real Madrid are in desperate need of new stars, and these two players are the most important for Los Blancos to sign in 2021 and 2022.
Kylian Mbappe has been Real Madrid‘s top transfer target for well over a year. Madridistas dream of the PSG superstar bringing his attacking talents to the new-look Santiago Bernabeu for the 2021-2022 season, and in Mbappe and Eden Hazard, Real could finally have a true superstar duo again.
There is no doubt that Mbappe tops the wishlist. But there is also no doubt that he will cost Real Madrid quite a bit of money. Mbappe could command a fee over 150 million euros, even if his contract runs out after the 2021-2022 season. Marco Ruiz of AS recently reported that Mbappe rejected the last three contract offers from PSG. It’s becoming clear that he wants to win trophies at Real and increase his star power with football’s most prestigious brand.
PSG could make things complicated for Real Madrid. They are known for their hardline negotiation tactics; nobody gets one over on them. Unsure of that? Just ask Barcelona, who were rebuffed at their every attempt to reunite with Neymar at a discount price. PSG won’t be offering Los Blancos any discounts, and they may even ask for a young star in return like Vinicius Junior or Rodrygo Goes.
Real Madrid are prepared to pay. They did not make any signings this summer in order to save up for Mbappe, because he is absolutely the player they must go all-in for. Better yet, he’s quietly playing the best football of his life to start the 2020-2021 season for PSG. Mbappe has seven goals in six Ligue 1 appearance, showing up well as a creator, too, with four assists and 1.7 key passes per game, according to WhoScored.com.
The 21-year-old’s development as a playmaker has been great to see, but Real Madrid won’t spend about 150 million euros in this economy on the French superstar for his assists. They are here for the goals, because they are desperate for a goal-scorer so that Karim Benzema does not have to shoulder the load almost entirely on his own.
What makes Mbappe additionally appealing is his versatility. The accomplished finisher is right-footed but capable of starting on the right. He has good technique with his left and the ability to finish from difficult angles. And plus with his playmaking, he can create chances from the right for both Benzema and Hazard. It’s easy to forget, but Hazard has scored 14 league goals in five separate seasons.
Mbappe is the clear top target for Real Madrid, but who is the second-most important player for them to sign in this youth “Revolution” to bring in true Galacticos-quality stars to the Bernabeu?
Erling Haaland has a very strong case. Sevilla center back Jules Kounde is on the cusp of being world-class in his own right.
Eduardo Camavinga should be Real Madrid’s second transfer priority
But the answer should be a player who isn’t an attacker. Eduardo Camavinga should be the second-biggest priority after Kylian Mbappe.
Camavinga is also enjoying an excellent Ligue 1 campaign. The Rennes star has scored and assisted once in the league. He’s completed over 90 percent of his passes with 1.4 dribbles completed, 1.4 fouls drawn, and 2.5 tackles.
Last season, Camavinga emerged as a Real Madrid target on the strength of his world-class defending, but many people noticed the potential for him to be a world-class box-to-box center midfielder. And this season, he’s flashed more of that attacking ability, especially with his ball-carrying and passing. Camavinga quietly has a good finishing touch, which would become more apparent at a club like Real.
It’s incredible to think that Camavinga is just 18 years old. He was 16 when he was taking it to PSG, so you can only imagine the trajectory he’s on.
At Real Madrid, Camavinga could play as a box-to-box midfielder in Casemiro’s position, becoming something of a successor to Case, albeit with more composure and skill on the ball. He won’t be the same defensive presence and won’t play the same way, but with Martin Odegaard and Fede Valverde on the team, Real can find the right role for him.
Center midfielders like Camavinga are so rare. He is good at so many things and legitimately excellent in his technique and defensive quality. How many players under 21 can claim the same?
Real should have eyes on Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, but looking at their need for someone with Camavinga’s all-around quality in midfield, he should be their second priority in 2021 alongside PSG’s Mbappe.