Real Madrid Transfers: The 3 safest signings to make in summer 2022

Sporting Lisbon RB Pedro Porro

Wait, what? No Erling Haaland?

Haaland is absolutely the second-best player Real Madrid can buy. But because of his injuries, the money tied up in his contract, and the crowded attacking situation, I cannot say that he is one of the three safest signings.

I can say this, though, about Pedro Porro, the Sporting Lisbon right back who has been on an absolute tear this season.

Porro isn’t a 100 percent sure thing – not even close to Kylian Mbappe – though a lot of that may simply come from the stigma that people have against the Portuguese top flight. But as we have seen with Ruben Dias, Luis Diaz, and even former Madrid target Bruno Fernandes, elite talent is elite talent. The best players will shine regardless, and Liga NOS has great competition at the top of the charts. Just look at this year’s Champions League knockout stages.

And Porro is indeed a top option. There isn’t a better right back on the market, and if Real Madrid want to sign him, they should have every reason to believe that they can get him.

Porro is currently owned by Manchester City and on loan at Sporting Lisbon. But since City already have two of the best right backs in the world in Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo, Porro is fully expected to be purchased by Sporting. Then, he could make the leap to a big club.

Real Madrid need a right back. Dani Carvajal is under contract through 2024-25, and while his struggles against Mbappe cannot be exaggerated, that performance is a reminder that Carvajal’s injury history and inconsistency are defining factors. Fans can no longer say he is the end-all, be-all at right back. There needs to be strong competition, or even someone who can usurp him completely. Porro can be that guy.

Although he would not be cheap at 45 million euros, Porro is the safest option to fill Real’s second-biggest need after a right winger. Yes, that right side of the formation is a disaster. And isn’t 45 million euros worth it to secure the right back position? Don’t forget how much Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy cost in 2019, and they were, by far, the best signings of that window. Porro could end up being the next Militao for this team, making the jump from Liga NOS to LaLiga as a star in both competitions.

Porro has three goals and two assists this season with 1.5 key passes per game and two tackles per game. He can cross, win the ball, and even score. His ability to add to the attack without being a liability on defense as a young right back would make him the perfect understudy and backup to Carvajal before eventually taking over.