Manchester City RB Joao Cancelo
Realistically, Bernardo Silva is more achievable for Real Madrid and just as excellent of a player, though it seems like Madrid will be going in another direction. That’s likely because Real are rebuilding a young midfield after KCM, and they would have no use for Silva as a forward with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema, and maybe Erling Haaland or Marco Asensio (or Takefusa Kubo…or Brahim Diaz) as the “fourth man”.
So we go with a fourth straight fullback and the third elite Premier League right back, Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese standout can also play at left back, much like David Alaba was once an inverted right fullback for Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
Though Cancelo has taken the inverted fullback role to another level in terms of his production. Cancelo is one of the best killer passers on the planet in a back four, as his highlights will show. And his reading of the game has led him to a sensational 2.8 interceptions per game in the Champions League.
Manchester City have looked dangerous in the UCL this year – moreso than even years past – and Cancelo has been a big part of that success. At 27, he is at his best and certainly of the caliber of player worth Real Madrid fans dreaming about.
Atletico Madrid FW Joao Felix
When it comes to Real Madrid’s rivals, there can be no doubt that the top target would be Joao Felix. He is the gem of Atletico Madrid and is so much better than what he is allowed to show in the rigid, defensive structure ensconced by Diego Simeone.
Felix does get to show his pure quality in certain cases, and when he does, he is a sight to behold. He is one of the most skillful and technically astonishing players in LaLiga, which is very likely still the most technical league in Europe. Though Felix is inconsistent, the left-footed 22-year-old really could be a top 10 player in the world in the right side.