It may seem far away but with less than six months left until June, Real Madrid will have to seriously begin their preparations for the upcoming summer transfer window. Of course, they already have certain plans in mind but there are five things that they should be laser-focused on as the summer very quickly approaches.
Finalize Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid
Let’s go through the easiest, most anticipated and most expected plan for the summer. Everyone (except for the higher-ups at Paris Saint-Germain apparently) expects Kylian Mbappe to be a Real Madrid player this summer. Not only that, the French international will be coming for free after his contract ends with the French team. Even though nothing official has been announced or finalized as of now, it’s safe to say that it would be shocking if Mbappe is not at the Santiago Bernabeu once the new season begins and he’ll be welcomed with open arms. This is a transfer that has been years in the making, and we are finally reaching the end of it in a matter of months.
If the unexpected happens and Mbappe chooses to stay at PSG or even go somewhere else, then it still should be the end of the saga which has gotten drawn out with the fans, media and clubs. Real Madrid’s priority is to get his signature as soon as possible and that will have to be one of their top priorities in the transfer market.
The club needs to decide on Benzema’s Backup
Karim Benzema has been a blessing to this club. The Frenchman has continued to break records and showcase his incredible talent weekly for Real Madrid. Even though he shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, a successor must be named sooner rather than later. Within their current ranks, Los Blancos have two players who could technically take the reigns in Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic however, neither of them has really been able to step up as much as the club initially hoped they would.
Real Madrid have been attempting to find a new club for Mariano who has been very adamant that he wants to stay at the club no matter what. He knows that there is no long-term plan for him in Madrid but regardless, as of now at least he aims to stay and is under contract so nothing can really be done. As for Jovic, he has impressed at times but overall the Serbian striker has not gotten many opportunities and many of the chances offered to him have not been taken too well.
There is a lot of talk surrounding a possible arrival of Erling Haaland who would almost perfectly fit the bill but that is a very long way from being agreed on. He will almost definitely be leaving Dortmund in the upcoming summer transfer window, but all the biggest clubs in Europe will be trying their hand in getting his signature so it’s not anywhere close to being guaranteed for Los Merengues as of now.
Real Madrid need to make a few very important sales
It’s important for the team to strengthen certain areas but it’s equally important for them to get rid of players who no longer have a part to play in the team. Club captain Marcelo is expected to leave this summer once his contract ends alongside other long servants Isco and Gareth Bale.
The Spanish midfielder has found himself falling down the pecking order and has been unable to hold a spot in the team for a few seasons now. However, he still has something to give and could be important elsewhere. Bale, on the other hand, has been riddled with injuries for many years and with Real Madrid failing to sell him, they will finally be able to get him off their books once his contract expires in June. Both parties are aware of what the outcome will be. With those departures, Real Madrid save on wages but then will need to look at other players who would be deemed surplus to requirements.
The first name that comes to mind is Mariano Diaz. As explained previously, the striker has continuously refused to leave (even on loan) and has been content with his extremely minimal minutes throughout the season. Having said that, Real Madrid will need to continue trying to convince him to accept a way out especially if a suitable offer comes in. Getting a transfer fee and saving on his wages will help Real Madrid continue their plans for what could be a big summer.
Unfortunately these days we cannot talk about players who should potentially leave without adding Eden Hazard to the list. He has continued to fail in rising up to any expectations no matter how low the bar has been set in comparison to when he initially joined from Chelsea. The Belgian has struggled to say the absolute least and the time has come for the club to find any possible way to part ways with him. As long as his wages are off the books, then Real Madrid should be happy regardless of what transfer fee may be received. A probable yet very unfortunate ending for the Belgian’s time at the club.
Other players that could potentially play elsewhere next season (whether on loan or a full transfer) are Andriy Lunin, Alvaro Odriozola, Jesus Vallejo, Antonio Blanco and Takefusa Kubo.
Los Blancos need to decide who they want playing right-back
At the moment, Real Madrid only have one natural right-back in Dani Carvajal, who is very good yet quite injury prone. Whenever he isn’t able to play, Lucas Vazquez becomes a makeshift right-back or Nacho Fernandez is picked to take up that position. With Carvajal’s injury issues, Real Madrid are in desperate need of a right-back who is not going to necessarily be a backup, but someone who will be happy to rotate. He will play a lot more than he expects, that much is almost guaranteed.
Alvaro Odriozola was loaned out to Fiorentina late in the last summer transfer market in a move which was surprising to some fans. The surprise didn’t come from his loan agreement but rather from the fact that he is actually needed in the team as Carvajal’s backup. However, the Spaniard hasn’t done too well for the club since his arrival and his move to the Serie A has brought out a lot in him that we have not really seen ever since his days at Real Sociedad. He could be coming back to the club in the summer permanently, depending on what the decision-makers have thought of when it comes to the transfer market.
If Real Madrid decide that Odriozola is not good enough or they receive an offer that may be too good to refuse, then they will need to spend money into finding a suitable replacement. Depending on Lucas Vazquez at right-back is not ideal, regardless of the positive and negative performances we have seen from him this season.
Give the youngsters even more time to shine
Throughout the past few seasons, Real Madrid have invested a lot in the younger generation of football. There are a few such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes who came from Brazil, and others like Eder Militao who found his way to the club after a very impressive season at FC Porto. Most recently, Real Madrid were able to buy one of the hottest prospects in the game in Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid also have talented players in the Castilla squad such as Miguel Gutierrez, Antonio Blanco or Peter Gonzalez that we need to see more of.
Unfortunately, we haven’t seen too much of that under Carlo Ancelotti this season but things could definitely change. While Real Madrid go looking into the transfer market, they need to keep in mind the players that currently employ. There is a lot of new yet impressive young blood in this team and it could form a squad that will fight for titles for years to come. Of course, players are needed and certain names like Kylian Mbappe cannot be ignored but neither can our youngsters.
Look at the astronomical rise of Vinicius Junior and you’ll know why. The Brazilian has gotten trust, consistency and criticism, all of which turned him into the player he is today in the team as he has become arguably the most untouchable player under Carlo Ancelotti. This is what the players need and even though Ancelotti has been giving many youngsters some minutes here and there, more will probably be needed.
Don’t make them question their roles in the team with “bigger names” being targeted by the club. They deserve better. We have given them a house, let’s turn that into a home.