Real Madrid has some major work to do this summer in terms of the player to be bought in the transfer window. The status on the probable outgoings has cleared to an extent after the positive update on Ramos’s contract situation. However, the offer for Ramos has expired though there are all chances of the renewal happening, we shall see how that pans out.
In the other departments too, key renewals of Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez helped Madridistas catch their breath before the European Championships kicked off. As of now, there hasn’t been any definite update on Raphael Varane which makes it worthwhile to keep options for another center-back open. The goal-scoring would again need some refreshing and investment there wouldn’t be too surprising.
Real Madrid, therefore, has work to do, and to make it easier to shape your opinions, here is a ranked list of the five biggest transfer priorities to buy this summer.
5. Inter Milan CM Nicolo Barella
The midfield section is the first area of interest. Though Martin Odegaard is set to return to the Spanish Capital, we may well see another midfielder, eyed as a potential Modric replacement. The maestro is 35 right now and is among one of those who needs to be found a replacement for.
Martin Odegaard would be a project-in-progress under Carlo Ancelotti, who loves working with his attacking midfielders and has arguably achieved unparalleled success in that area at Real Madrid. However, another player of similar attributes joining shouldn’t be an eye-brow-raising move. Especially after players like Isco and Asensio are put on the probable out-goings list.
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella would be my pick for the ideal Modric replacement. He has been one of the best midfielders in Seria A and, my colleague Sai Siddhartha placed him atop the list of Seria A midfielders to monitor. He would also be a key player for Roberto Mancini’s Italy in the Euros. With his ball carrying, sharp exchanges, and clean footwork, he would be an asset to any side.
Another key reason to have him on this list is the history he shares with Carlo Ancelotti. According to Calciomercato, Carlo tried signing the midfielder for Napoli in January of 2019. The times seem about right for this move to happen, Don Carlo wants to work with the Italian, and Real Madrid can use a good alternative to the aging Luka Modric.
4. Sevilla CB Jules Kounde
As discussed the center-back position could be of interest to Carlo Ancelotti this summer after a possible farewell to the veteran Raphael Varane. He has offers on his table, however, the situation is too speculative to comment on. His departure, however, directly means that the club would need to invest in another center-back.
As of now, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandes, and Sergio Ramos are the pure center-backs with the club. The latter two of those three are again subject to addressing their contract situations at the earliest, especially Ramos. David Alaba who joined the club on a free transfer can play as a center-back too but is better suited playing wide at the left.
The requirement thus is of a pure center-back, and the player I am picking fits in perfectly in that definition. He is a familiar LaLiga face who has been a breakout this season, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde. One of the top three center-backs in the league this season, he would be available for a release clause of 90 million euros, per La Razon.
He has been heavily linked to the Royal White Club and seemingly is their dream transfer target for the center-back position. He can also play on the right which further allows tactical flexibility. He has been picked up by Didier Deschamps for the France national squad and would be a top transfer target to monitor at the Euros.
3. Rennes DM Eduardo Camavinga
As important as the center-back situation is, it is true that the speculations around Varane haven’t been transparent. He hasn’t replied straight away to any offer and could very well end up staying in the club next season. But the position making its case at number three is much sounder.
Carlos Casemiro has been operating without a backup for quite some time now. Antonio Blanco, the academy product did well covering for him but he would have his commitments the coming season and the need for a defensive midfielder is evident in the first team. The player who would be the best to invest in according to me is an 18-year-old Frenchman, Eduardo Camavinga.
At only 18 years of age, the wonder kid has been the talk of the football community. He is often called the next big thing in defensive midfield. In quick time, he has become an important part of the Ligue 1 outfit, Rennes. Despite his age, the maturity in his play is visible and is the most impressive part about him.
Apart from his holding duties, he can provide good pace on counters and can be a vital addition as a rotational player to Casemiro for the first team. Valued around 55 million euros, Real wouldn’t mind investing in a smart young buy who has shown all the signs of being a future star, and stars belong to the Royal White club.
2. Borussia Dortmund FW Erling Haaland
Goal-scorers have arguably got the soundest case in his list. There is no other priority as important as scoring goals for a football club. And, for Real Madrid, it’s more so because they have been terrible by their standards. Karim Benzema aside, no other player could even reach double figures in terms of goals for the club.
Ergo, Real Madrid is going to eye a goal-scorer this summer and it has been quite evident for quite some time now. And, there is no surprise as to who makes this list at number 2, it’s the Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland.
Haaland is a true goal-scorer. This season alone his tally reads 48 goals from 50 matches for club and country. Considered the plan B to the lethal PSG-man, Kylian Mbappe, Haaland himself is a prolific player in his own rights. He has also invited several club’s interests at 21 years of age, and is an important transfer commodity.
Erling Haaland can be a good solution to Real Madrid’s attacking owes and could be a good fit for the squad. Mid-season, there was a lot of fuss about his situation, and his agent Mino Raiola held meetings with top European clubs including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. However, he would have a 75 million release clause activated next summer and that could well be a decisive angle to his future.
1. PSG FW Kylian Mbappe
There is no doubt as to who rides atop this list. It has been this way for quite some time now. PSG’s forward, Kylian Mbappe has evidently been Real Madrid’s dream transfer for the summer. At one point in time, it seemed like Real Madrid would enter the transfer market only to pursue Mbappe, MARCA adding currency further keeps that possibility alive.
Mbappe could be the ultimate answer to all of Real’s questions. He is a prolific goal-scorer who has already found the net 46 times in 57 outings this season for club and country, per Whoscored. The number would further go up as he puts on his national kit for the European Championships. There are just no second thoughts about him scoring.
A prime Ballon d’Or candidate, Mbappe has been heavily linked to Real Madrid and would be their top priority for the summer. However, the finances could play a part and Mbappe made a few comments about having an answer after the end of the Euros.
Anyway, adding a young ‘galactico’ to the current squad is indeed something that would be toping Florentino Perez’s list of tasks for the summer, and Kylian Mbappe would be the prime candidate. He has worked well with Karim Benzema in their pre-tournament friendlies for France and the two striker’s growing friendship gives us all hopes of seeing the dream transfer realized.