Real Madrid: The ideal 2022 transfer scenario in midfield
Real Madrid fans have moved on from Erling Haaland as the second priority in the summer 2022 transfer market after Kylian Mbappe, and they are instead focusing on a star in the midfield as someone Florentino Perez must buy.
Aurelien Tchouameni was on Los Blancos’ radar in 2020, but it was only this season when he seriously started being discussed as a transfer target. Wanted by other big clubs like PSG, Liverpool, and Chelsea, Tchouameni is the best No. 6 available and the biggest possible upgrade to the Real Madrid midfield when accounting for his future potential and stylistic fit. He is the only player who can conceivably replace Casemrio in the defensive midfield role.
There are worries, though, that Real Madrid will miss out on his signing. The competition is fierce, Tchouameni may be worried about playing time since Casemiro is still entrenched (well, for now), and Monaco will want a hefty fee. Los Blancos hope Tchouameni can help push Monaco into giving Real a discount due to the player’s desire to join the Merengues. But that is not something Madridistas should get their hopes up for. After all, Haaland and his camp did not make such exceptions on even their personal terms…
Another worry relates to a recent breakout. Dani Ceballos was sensational against Osasuna and then even better this past weekend in a second start against Espanyol, as Los Blancos won 4-0. It seems as if Ceballos has earned a longer stay in Madrid, but fans are worried that means the club will not prioritize another midfielder and will try to keep the money instead of signing “Tchou”.
Real Madrid should keep Dani Ceballos and sign Aurelien Tchouameni
Ceballos can absolutely help Real Madrid, and his passion and quality do merit an extension. There are less useful players currently earning paychecks from the Merengues, whereas Ceballos can be a very good No. 8 off the bench – provided he is interested in taking a role that is not guaranteed starting opportunities.
But Ceballos and Tchouameni are different players. Ceballos is, in effect, “free”. He should not affect Tchouameni’s place in the squad, nor should he affect his financial investment. Real Madrid were willing to spend 200 million euros on Kylian Mbappe’s transfer fee. They did not need to spend that money, and, thus, it stands to reason they have that money available this summer to make signings. Furthermore, we are not even accounting for the departures of Gareth Bale, Isco, and Marcelo from the wage books, as well as the potential sales of Luka Jovic, Eden Hazard, Jesus Vallejo, Mariano Diaz, Marco Asensio, and perhaps others.
Real Madrid have the money. They can extend Ceballos, give him a squad role (Isco is leaving, after all), and then spend 60 million euros or so on Tchouameni. Real can secure their 6 of the future and keep one of the best backup center midfielders possible, utilizing Ceballos more in LaLiga next season to help give Luka Modric and Toni Kroos rest that will prolong their Madrid careers.
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That is the ideal. Ceballos and Tchouameni. Do not tell me this is unrealistic. Real Madrid are more than capable of having both players, and I am sure Kylian Mbappe would appreciate Perez’s effort to give him the kind of sporting project Leonardo and PSG never could.