What are Real Madrid’s biggest transfer priorities in the year 2021?
Real Madrid are still in the thick of the title race, having defeated first-place Atletico Madrid 2-0 in their most recent meeting. They are also very much alive in the Champions League after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 to ensure entry into the Round of 16, where they will like their chances against Atalanta.
But Los Blancos must make some more additions in 2021 in order to ensure long-term success. Here are their four biggest priorities.
1. Extending Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid have already agreed to an extension to one superstar player in Luka Modric, but they still need to agree to an extension to another key player in team captain Sergio Ramos.
Sure, David Alaba could be an alternative to Ramos on paper, but in reality, there is no alternative to re-signing Ramos. The legendary No. 4 is the spirit of the team, and we have seen how much of a lift he gives to this club in title races and the Champions League.
There are important tasks for Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane in 2021, specifically in the summer transfer window itself, but re-signing Ramos to a two-year extension beforehand is a must. He may be nearing the age of 35, but he is still one of the world’s best center backs. And we shall never forget this fact either: he was Real Madrid’s second-leading goal-scorer last season.
2. Signing a world-class goal-scorer
This may not be a realistic goal for Real Madrid in 2021 depending on who is available to sign and how much money Los Blancos actually have, but it is nevertheless one of the top two priorities for the club right next to re-signing Sergio Ramos.
Real Madrid’s reliance on Karim Benzema is troubling. This will be the third season in which he scores over 20 goals and none of his teammates even score 10, if the current pace holds up. Benz has scored eight goals in 15 Matchdays (13 total appearances), and Casemiro and Fede Valverde are next in line with three apiece. Vinicius Junior is the only other forward with multiple goals in La Liga, and that’s simply not good enough.
Kylian Mbappe is the dream, but, unfortunately, the PSG phenom is starting to look more and more like a pipe dream in 2021. If he truly dreams of playing for Real Madrid, then Los Merengues may have to cross their fingers that he holds off on signing a lucrative, sure-fire extension with the Parisians in order to switch to Madrid in 2022 on a free transfer.
Erling Haaland is an alternative, but he probably won’t be available in 2022. So then the “real” alternative becomes left-footed right winger Mohamed Salah, who is absolutely a Galactico-level player. But as a Galactico-level player, he will command a price that may not be THAT much cheaper than Mbappe’s. At least in his case, however, it’s easier to negotiate with a reluctant Liverpool than a reluctant PSG, who have the backing to simply slam the door in anyone’s face.
We are in for a rollercoaster summer, but I cannot stress the importance of signing a proven goal-scorer who can help Benzema carry the load.
3. Real Madrid need to sign some midfield depth
Right now, Real Madrid have a handful of midfielders who are legitimately world-class. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are undeniably two of the world’s best, and I would absolutely listen to an argument stating that one of them is definitively the top midfielder in world football. Now, I would give the same grace to Kevin De Bruyne, but Kroos and Modric are on that shortlist, no doubt.
Casemiro remains one of the very best defensive midfielders, so Real have three proven world-class midfielders. Then there is Fede Valverde, whose excellence in combination with his youth makes him the most valuable midfielder on the transfer market. And finally, Real have Martin Odegaard, whose talent was visible for every fan of Spanish football to see in the 2019-2020 season.
After those five players, Real Madrid precious little. Isco isn’t a true midfielder in a three-man group, and he seems to be on his way out. It would be a surprise if Isco is in Real’s squad for the 2021-2022 season. Loanee Dani Ceballos is even less impressive and may not have a real future in Madrid.
So that leaves a hole in midfield that must be filled. Real Madrid have a limited budget, but if they strike out on a goal-scorer, then Eduardo Camavinga needs to be signed. Otherwise, Real will have squandered another chance at a productive summer transfer window.
Camavinga is the best possible option for Los Blancos, but there are other worthy signings. Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, for example, has all the tools to be a world-class attacking-minded central midfielder for the La Liga giants.
4. Real Madrid must find ideal loans for three players
Why would I list finding suitable loans as one of Real’s biggest priorities in 2021 from a transfer perspective? Because player development is crucial to Los Blancos under Florentino Perez’s new model of targeting young players. Additionally, the importance of developing young talent is heightened when the team’s finances are restricted; they must work with what they have.
Madridistas have been thoroughly disappointed with Takefusa Kubo’s and Reinier Jesus’ loans. Kubo’s loan could be terminated so that he switches from Villarreal to Getafe, where he would play more frequently and actually be the focal point of a club. Kubo could help Getafe reach the next level and qualify for the Europa League.
In 2021-2022, Kubo would likewise need a loan to a club that can give him playing time. He is still too young and unpolished to contribute regularly for Real Madrid. Not everyone is like Rodrygo Goes and ready to excel right off the bat as a U21 player. Most should take the Martin Odegaard route.
As for Reinier, his loan at Borussia Dortmund has been a complete disaster. Reinier has received a not-so-nice 69 minutes in a meager four substitute appearances in the Bundesliga. Whereas Kubo at least regularly plays in the Europa League, Reinier has a mere 19 Champions League minutes. Like Kubo, Reinier can be a world-class attacking midfielder for Real Madrid, but he needs the game time more than anything else.
Both of those players need much better loans in 2021-2022. Every month riding the bench in the league is a month wasted.
But they are not the only ones in need of a good loan move. Luka Jovic cost Real Madrid 60 million euros, and they will never get their return on investment as it stands right now. It is better to loan him so that he can play regularly. If he impresses, he can either succeed Karim Benzema in a couple of years, or he can be sold for more than he would right now. Selling Jovic in the summer 2021 transfer window is foolish, to be honest. Loaning him to the right place? That makes more sense.
Real Madrid could also loan Vinicius Junior in 2021-2022, but I still think he is important to the first team. If that outlook changes, we can have that conversation about Vini, too. For now, though, these are the three young players who need to go to places where they can actually develop. A LOT of thought needs to be put into each loan and the fit and nurturing relationship the loanees would have with each club.