Although Real Madrid struck out on Kylian Mbappe despite a frenetic chase that ended on deadline day, the club did manage to land another generational talent from France. And they did so at an even better value, securing Eduardo Camavinga for 30 million euros (plus variables) from Rennes.
Camavinga joins Real as a midfield reinforcement for Carlo Ancelotti for the 2021-2022 season following three injuries at the position, as well as Martin Odegaard’s transfer to Arsenal.
There is no doubt that the Camavinga signing represents great value for Real Madrid. Let’s take a look at three specific reasons why he will only be viewed as an even bigger transfer bargain for Los Blancos in the future.
Eduardo Camavinga is already worth much more than this
I can remember a time when Rennes told everyone they would not sell Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid or anyone else for less than 80 million euros. In fact, that time wasn’t too long ago. It was only in the last summer transfer window when the Ligue 1 club set a sky-high asking price for the then-17-year-old center midfielder after his breakout 2019-2020 campaign.
One year later, Camavinga, who was on an expiring contract and saw his mentor leave the club before 2020-2021, has made his way to Real Madrid for less than half that amount.
Was Camavinga worth 80 million euros last summer? Probably not. But I’d argue he was worth closer to 80 million than 30 million. Camavinga is the best teenage midfielder there is and is probably the best midfield prospect on the planet. He can easily be worth 80 million euros within a few years.
So Real Madrid signing him for just 30 million euros is incredible. Yes, they are getting him so cheaply because of Ligue 1’s financial issues, the pandemic, and the fact that there is one year left on his contract. But also know this. Camavinga had other suitors. Yet he always had Real Madrid at the absolute top of his list. That’s why Real were able to get the bargain deal and not, say, PSG.