Real Madrid’s awful transfer strategy already exposed by Barcelona
By Parshva Shah
The wounds from the humiliating 4-0 El Clásico defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu are still fresh in our memories. Barcelona absolutely outclassed Real Madrid in every manner possible and have left Los Blancos with a lot of introspection to do during the international break.
However, it’s not just the football pitch where Barcelona have stamped their authority over Real Madrid recently. The Catalans are edging out their arch-rivals off the field too, in the transfer market.
According to Catalan-based paper Sport, Real Madrid enquired about the possibility of signing Ajax right-back and Barcelona target Noussair Mazraoui at the end of the season. The Moroccan is out of contract at Ajax in the summer and has no intention of staying at the club, with Barcelona reportedly having agreed terms with him.
It’s strange that a Catalan-based publication is reporting about a transfer activity about Real Madrid. But the report comes from a very reliable journalist in Alfredo Martínez, so chances are that it could be true after all. The report also claims that Real Madrid were “surprised” upon knowing that Noussair Mazraoui already has a deal in place with Barcelona.
Real Madrid are about to miss on the most economical RB upgrade
Real Madrid are looking to strengthen the right-back spot, a position which has become problematic for the team given Dani Carvajal’s injury problems, his patchy form, and the lack of a like-to-like backup of the Spaniard. Lucas Vázquez has been entrusted to be his cover on the right side of the defence. While he has done a decent job, he does have his own setbacks considering he is not a natural right-back.
Álvaro Odriozola has managed to do well on loan at Fiorentina, so there’s a chance that the club might retain him in the squad next season.
If the reports are indeed to be true, it suggests that Real Madrid are actively looking for a new right-back in the market. It’s also likely that being unable to sign Mazraoui wouldn’t stop Los Blancos’ search for a right-back.
But, much like Barcelona did during the 4-0 mauling last Sunday, they are showing they are a few steps ahead even off the field. Xavi and Joan Laporta have managed to change the look of the Blaugrana. From what looked like a struggling team whose troubles only amplified with every passing game under Ronald Koeman, the same team with a few additions in January and a tactical overhaul with the arrival of Xavi have become the most in-form Spanish team at the moment.
For Real Madrid to approach a player who has been linked with Barcelona for months seems very embarrassing. And the report by Alfredo Martínez, if it’s true, exposes the lack of a solid transfer strategy in place. The drubbing at the hands of Barcelona seems to have put the club in panic mode.
While it is 100% true that Real Madrid’s failure in the transfer market would be all due to their own ineffectiveness, Barcelona’s recent transfer activity (and all the signings in the coming transfer window) act as a mirror that reflects and reveal the sheer awfulness of Los Merengues’ transfer strategy.
Next. The 5 players Real Madrid should have never sold. dark
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Barcelona are showing signs of transforming back into a fearsome unit. Their performances under Xavi, especially since the last two months, and smart recruitment of new players should alert those at Real Madrid. The club needs to improve and keep up with their arch-rivals. This is football in 2022.