Real Madrid Transfers: 3 forwards to sign instead of Erling Haaland

Real Madrid fans are starting to realize that the Erling Haaland transfer battle may already have been won by Manchester City, perhaps even sealed by Los Blancos’ embarrassing 4-0 loss to Barcelona. The City sporting project is simply superior to Real’s in the short term, while their financial power makes it more sensible for them to bring in Haaland.

For as much as Haaland has been presented as a bargain due to his 75 million euro release clause, the reality is that the commissions to Mino Raiola and Haaland’s father will make up the difference. Add on Haaland’s salary, and you can see why many Madridistas are fine with Haaland going to City for the next few years when Madrid already has a world-class No. 9 in Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid can – and should- use that money to sign several other players. Here are three forwards they could even consider signing this summer to boost their quality up front.

Ajax RW Antony

A while back, I mentioned Antony as the third member of an ideal future attacking third. Yes, instead of Erling Haaland. My belief at the time was that it would be too difficult to sign both Kylian Mbappe and Haaland salary-wise, while there would be a hole at RW. In this setup, Mbappe would replace Karim Benzema in the middle within a few years, and Real would have a left-footed right winger to complement Vinicius Jr. on the left.

There is no better left-footed winger to buy than Antony over the long-term, even as Mohamed Salah and Riyad Mahrez remain the classiest options currently.

Antony is just 22 and already making a name for himself. He turned edits by roasting Borussia Dortmund twice in the Champions League, and he recently scored a matchwinner against Feyenoord in the Eredivisie with a memorable celebration. 

The Brazilian will be a true world-class winger within a couple of seasons, and it is best for Real Madrid to get involved soon. He could be the best player Ajax has produced in recent years when you consider how difficult it is to find left-footed wingers who can create and score. Antony can be that guy for Madrid with a combined 10 goals and 8 assists in the Champions League and Eredivisie this season.