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Real Madrid: 5 players competing in AFCON 2022 to monitor as transfer targets

By Manas Pratim Sharma

Former Real Madrid player Achraf Hakimi of Morocco (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Former Real Madrid player Achraf Hakimi of Morocco (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze (Photo by DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO/AFP via Getty Images)
Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze (Photo by DANIEL BELOUMOU OLOMO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Africa, a great continent, full of footballing talent. Yet, Africa continues to be overlooked in the footballing world. Hopefully, at least some of that will change after AFCON 2022, which has been a thrilling tournament thus far. One Real Madrid fans should be watching.

However, some of the top talents the world has seen in recent years are playing in AFCON 2022. Africa arguably has given football one of the three best players of this season in Mohamed Salah. And, judging from the overall quality and development of football in the region. It is certainly one to keep an eye on. Here are my picks for five potential transfer targets for Real Madrid to monitor who is playing in the ongoing AFCON.

Nigeria RW Samuel Chukwueze

Real Madrid’s situation on the right-wing isn’t ideal, to say the least. Carlo Ancelotti’s search for the perfect partner to Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior has been head-scratching. Marco Asensio’s flashes of form and then out again coupled with Rodrygo Goes’s hard work but the inability to excel at a level a club like Real Madrid would demand has been a major issue to think about for the Italian Coach.

Real Madrid has also tried playing Eden Hazard on the right but the Belgian’s ill fate at the Spanish Capital continues. Gareth Bale on the other hand has been very injury-prone this season and he may look to retire at the end of the season. Hazard too, is expected to be on his way out next summer.

Real Madrid’s prime target to fill up the void is Kylian Mbappe. Real Madrid is the Frenchman’s dream club but the move couldn’t be completed in two consecutive seasons of trials. Therefore, keeping options open wouldn’t hurt. And since the rightwing is a problem area, Villarreal’s Nigerian right-winger Samuel Chukwueze is a decent shout as one from the AFCON to keep an eye on.

A speedy dribbler, Chukwueze is a graduate of the academy at Villarreal. Tried and tested to the Spanish conditions he could step up as a backup right-winger for Real Madrid if Rodrygo Goes is sent out on a loan to improve his skills, get more minutes and come back improved. Chukwueze has managed to stand out in the limited minutes he is getting with the yellow submarine having scored in LaLiga, Champions League as well as the AFCON, per WhoScored. He has age on his side and you could never predict who breaks out. He has the skillset, let’s see if can be a key campaigner for Nigeria.

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