An excellent alternative to Paul Pogba that Real Madrid are targeting

Real Madrid are gearing up for a vital summer transfer window in 2022. The likes of Antonio Rudiger – who is reportedly very close to signing with Real Madrid – and Kylian Mbappe are known to be possible arrivals, while the club is also working to get Erling Haaland to join them in the capital of Spain.

But, those players aren’t the only ones. Real Madrid need a few players in a couple of other positions to have the exact amount of depth that they need to challenge on all fronts. That obviously includes a back-up right back, and maybe a central midfielder as well.

According to reports from MARCA, Real Madrid are negotiating with agent Mino Raiola for two players – Erling Haaland of Dortmund, as we know, and Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax as well.

Gravenberch is an exciting young talent that has been playing really well for Ajax in the last couple of years. Still only 19 years old, the Dutch midfielder is really good with the ball, and has proved to be an excellent ball carrier through the opposition team’s press. Of course, since he is only 19 years old, he is a little inconsistent, but that’s fine.

When I first saw Gravenberch play, he immediately reminded me of Paul Pogba. The Dutchman is tall, very good with keeping the ball close to his feet, and is also pretty good on the defensive end of the field as well, something that Pogba isn’t really known for.

Real Madrid are doing the right thing by targeting Gravenberch and not Pogba

Reports recently emerged about Real Madrid not being interested in signing Paul Pogba for free in the summer, and to be quite honest, it makes sense. Pogba’s injury record isn’t great, he is still inconsistent and obviously has a few attitude problems, among other things. He is definitely an amazing player on his day, but those days are few and far between.

Gravenberch, although not as polished, would be a great option to have in the team, especially with the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos nearing the end of their respective careers. Of course, I say the end, but those two with Casemiro still form the best partnership in football right now, but you know what I mean.

Speaking of Casemiro, Gravenberch wouldn’t really be a replacement for the Brazilian, but his defensive output makes me think how good it would be to have a double pivot of him and Valverde or him and Camavinga in the future. If Real manage to get him, they will have unlimited options in midfield, and that’s almost always a good thing.

I don’t know how many chances he’d get with Modric and Kroos still performing so well, but he is definitely one that deserves a few because of the talent that he possesses.

According to Transfermarkt, Gravenberch’s contract expires in 2023 and he shows no intention of re-signing with Ajax next season. So, it would definitely make sense for the reigning Eredivisie champions to cash in on him next summer as otherwise, they’d risk losing him for free in 2023.

Real Madrid are obviously not the only club that are interested in Gravenberch’s signature. There are many top clubs like Liverpool, Barcelona, Juventus and Tottenham that are fighting for his signature, but I think Real Madrid’s pull is strong enough to get the Dutchman into the squad.