Lyon CM Maxence Caqueret
Now we move to the “League of Talents”, which recently gave Real Madrid Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga. Karim Benzema also played at Lyon before joining Los Blancos as an already-made star in Ligue 1. Before joining Real and Chelsea, Eden Hazard was a major star in the French league, too, scoring and assisting goals at an enviable rate as a Lille player.
Maxence Caqueret isn’t quite recognized as a superstar at Lyon, but fans who have watched the Ligue 1 side closely are high on the player. The 22-year-old is, like Nordi Mukiele, currently embroiled in an uncertain contract situation. Caqueret wants a certain amount of money that Lyon are not willing to give him yet, and since he could leave on a free transfer in 2023, Lyon may have to sell him this summer if the situation is not resolved.
That could lead to Real Madrid signing a new midfielder at a discount rate. Los Blancos are not desperate for midfield help, but they would like someone in a holding role. Caqueret is averaging a hefty 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in league play this season. He could be a part f the solution for the Madrid midfield one day, and that day may come this summer if negotiations with Lyon continue to stall.
Aurelien Tchouameni is an even better fit for Real in Ligue 1 and is honestly a better player than Caqueret, but that does not mean Caqueret would not be worth signing. He should be on the list of backup plans to Tchouameni, along with Ajax’s Ryan Gravenberch.