Real Madrid Transfers: 3 underrated free-agent targets to look at in 2022
By Avi Nagar
Real Madrid is planning to have a breakthrough transfer window in the summer of 2022. The contracts of Marcelo, Bale, and Isco expire next summer, and some other players may also leave the club.
Due to the financial impact of the pandemic, Real Madrid will try their chance with the soon-to-be free agents. We’re looking at players like Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, and Antonio Rudiger. However, not all of these rumored transfers may come to fruition, and the club may need to look at alternatives. There are plenty of other quality players in the soon-to-be free-agent domain who are not as extensively linked with the club.
Here we look at three underrated free-agent targets in summer 2022.
Niklas Süle
The first player on our list is Germany and Bayern Munich center-back Niklas Süle. The defender has an uncertain future at the Bavarian club, as he hasn’t held talks of a contract extension. As per Süle’s recent statements, he is open to all options. He stated:
"“My family and I are very happy in Munich, but I still have to figure out what’s best for me. I never said I definitely have to leave, but I never said I have to stay either. I know that I owe a lot to Bayern, but I also think Bayern can be very happy with the transfer they made with me back then. If both sides conclude that we still are a good fit, I would do everything I can to stay here. Otherwise, I could imagine saying: I’m a free agent and I will try something new. Everything is open in every direction. I can imagine anything”."
Last season, Niklas Süle managed 1.6 tackles, 0.5 fouls, and 0.5 offsides won per game each. (WhoScored) These figures are better than the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Ruben Dias, and Rafael Varane, among others. The German also provides aerial threat from set-pieces, something the Spanish giants are missing after the departure of the iconic duo of Ramos and Varane.
For Real Madrid, it makes perfect sense to target Süle. The gigantic defender, standing at 6’5, has everything to become a key player in Los Blancos. He would immediately upgrade a thin defensive unit. The presence of former teammate David Alaba, who also came free, along with former national teammate Kroos could convince Süle to join Real Madrid.