It’s finally here, the day all Madrid and football fans have been waiting for. Kylian Mbappe is finally announcing his decision to stay at PSG or leave for his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid this summer.
This saga has felt like it’s been going on a lifetime for Real Madrid fans, and honestly, I’m sure all parties will be relieved to know what his next step will be so that they can appropriately make their next moves heading into the transfer window.
I’m sure anyone who loves Los Blancos is hoping that the Frenchman will finally take the leap and lead the new generation of Real Madrid stars, but the reality is, he may very well stay in the French capital for another two years.
For whatever reasons, whether financial or personal, Mbappe has had some forces in play that are making him lean towards staying for a bit longer, and Real Madrid needs to be prepared to be disappointed yet again, but more importantly, be ready to build around a squad that is currently in the Champions League final.
So given his imminent decision, let’s look at a couple of attacking options that will either, A, be an immediate replacement signing that could have a similar impact in the current and future setups at Madrid, or B, are potential stopgaps until the next Mbappe saga rolls around.
Again, the following are attacking options that can supplement our forward line. Although Monaco’s Aurélien Tchouaméni should be a priority, he’s not going to be mentioned in this piece based on position. Many of these alternatives have varying price tags based on form, age, contracts, etc., but considering what Madrid would splash on Mbappe, it’s within their realm.
Enjoy.
Atletico Madrid FW Joao Felix (Contract expires 2026)
One of my favorites on the list has to be Atletico Madrid’s leading man, Joao Felix. Although a move for the Portuguese target man would be a challenging task, I believe his profile suits what Real Madrid is looking for in a forward.
Currently only 22 years old, Felix has been a revelation this year at Atletico Madrid after a stuttering start to life in Spain.
Although his number of goals this season (8 in La Liga, ten across all competitions) aren’t up to par with the likes of Karim Benzema (44) or Vinicius Jr. (21), that is more likely because of the defensive style of play that manager Diego Simeone plays week to week and because Felix has dealt with a few knocks during his time in La Liga.
When he is fully fit and is comfortable in attack, you can see why Atletico paid such a high fee for the young talent from Benfica.
He can play on the left, as a center forward, or behind the striker, is comfortable with both feet and is one of the most technically gifted footballers in La Liga, and has the potential to become one of the best players in the world.
He reads open play very well, understands when to be flashy with his abilities and when to keep it simple to create the most of situations in a match, and draws a ton of attention (2.1 fouls per game), which Vinicius can relate to.
He’s so intelligent on the ball, which is the most impressive thing for me because although he’s not the fastest, his IQ on the pitch allows the game to slow down for him and see where he needs to adjust at a given moment.
These characteristics may not be the flashiest or the most convincing to some but do fall right under what many great Madrid players have in their DNA, and I feel he’s someone who’d thrive in Madrid’s locker room and would have more opportunities to increase his score tally.
As mentioned before, because of his current outfit, I don’t believe we’ll be able to see his full potential or even prize him away from Los Rojiblancos (contract expires in 2026), but it’s nice to think about.
RB Leipzig FW Christopher Nkunku (Contract expires 2024)
This might be my number one choice, but for good reason. RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, 24, is having the best season of his career so far and is, in my opinion, one of the five best players in the world this calendar season.
This season under manager Domenico Tedesco, Nkunku found his stride, banging in 34 goals, 20 assists, 2.5 shots per game, and 1.8 key passes per game for the Bundesliga side. He has been integrated into the French national team because of his efforts.
Under former boss Nagelsmann, his primary positions were set in the midfield as an attacking midfielder, but he’s found himself primarily as a striker this season. For some who might see his signing as a questionable one because it’s his first real “scoring” season, you can leave your worries here.
Since his move from PSG (€13 million) to Germany, Nkunku has been one of the best players for his club and the most versatile across the Bundesliga. If there was a reason he scored very few goals for Leipzig until this season, his focus was on facilitating their offensive system up the pitch and feeding the ball to the likes of Timo Werner, Andre Silva, Yussuf Poulsen, and Patrik Schick.
So don’t look at his 34 goals as some fluke, but something long overdue for an exceptionally well-rounded player in attack and thriving in a system that suits his qualities as a goal scorer.
I believe football now more than ever is shifting towards players that can play anywhere on the pitch and cover for the teammate next to them. We’ve seen it in this Real Madrid side, with Fede Valverde being the ultimate Swiss army knife, playing in the midfield and as a right-winger in the Champions League.
Nkunku’s age, skillset, and versatility make him a no-brainer type of move for Madrid if they fail to bring Mbappe because he can do a little bit of everything and do all those little things effectively.
Dribbling, passing, set pieces, hold-up play (he’s only 5’9 !), and finishing, man has done and can do it all for anyone that he’s playing for.
And let’s not forget that he’s clutch in the biggest of matches. He scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League group stage (ended the campaign with seven goals and two assists in 531 minutes of UCL), scored and assisted against his former club PSG, and regularly put the ball in the back of the net against the top Bundesliga sides this year.
To me, getting Nkunku is like a two-for-one special because he can cover for the likes of Luka Modric in midfield or become an integral part of the forward line during and after Benzema’s tenure.
Ajax FW Antony (Contract expires 2025)
One of the interesting things about the Mbappe saga was figuring out where he’d play positionally. To most fans, it’d ideally be on the right-wing. We’ve found so much success with Vinicius Jr. on the left wing, and Benzema isn’t being plucked from the center anytime soon, so the right-wing would have made so much sense.
Mbappe has played there before at PSG, and Real Madrid has lacked a quality right winger since Bale left for the golf range. But during this saga, it seemed as though there were reports that Mbappe preferred playing on the left or through the middle.
Again, for me a non-starter because of the importance and quality that both Vini and Benz bring to the attack. So, if Mbappe decides to play those preferred positions in Paris, that provides Madrid an opportunity to pluck some of the best right-wingers in the world today.
Although, as Madridistas, we all love what Rodrygo has done this season, there were inconstancies for most of the season. Even starting Fede in his position at times was very telling of the uncertainty of the situation. Likewise, I believe Rodrygo naturally thrives on the left wing (his preferred position).
Thus, given the uncertainty of the right-wing, enter Rodrygo’s compatriot and Ajax forward Antony.
When you watch him play at his best, you see Joga Bonito come to light, similar to what we’ve experienced with Vinicius this season.
He’d be the ideal right-winger to solidify that role for the present and future while also providing enough competition and depth for Rodrygo.
Besides a declining Asensio, Real Madrid has missed someone on the right who was left-footed that could take over the game for 90 minutes.
Beyond Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) or Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), few options stick out, age, price, or skill-wise in this position across Europe.
Under the newly appointed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Antony was able to grow from a boy from São Paulo to a man in this current Ajax side. He’s a human highlight reel with his pure pace, shifty dribbling ability in tight spaces, no-look passing, and scoring celebrations.
Before his latest injury, Antony was balling out with 12 goals, ten assists, 1.6 key passes per game, 1.7 dribbles per game, and an 82.1% passing success rate in 33 appearances for Ajax.
And it just makes sense that Madrid would go for another Brazilian winger after the Mbappe deal because Papa Perez loves his Brazilians.
He has all the tools to grab hold of this position in Madrid and make it his for the foreseeable future. And given his coach is off to England, other teammates are likely being sold this summer, he’ll likely be looking for a new club sooner rather than later, and Madrid needs to take advantage and pluck him from Ajax while they can.
OGC Nice FW Amine Gouiri (Contract expires 2024)
Dubbed the next Karim Benzema. Say less; sign him up. The end.
No, but seriously, Nice’s Amine Gouiri; this man looks that good on the pitch that he’s being compared to Karim the Dream. It also helps that he played for Lyon’s youth setup, despite not being as successful at Lyon as Benzema.
Regardless, since joining Nice in 2020, he’s proved what a mistake it was for Lyon to let him go as he’s not only humiliated most of Ligue 1 by now with his dribbling skills but also is enjoying a cushy ten goals, eight assists, 1.3 key passes per game, and1.6 dribbles per game this season for the French outfit. Besides the goals and assists, Gouiri is pretty on par with Karim’s numbers this season.
As reported in previous articles, the Frenchman has been on Real Madrid and Zidane’s radar since last year, and when Zidane sees quality in a player, Real Madrid should probably listen and buy them.
When you see him on the pitch, you see glimpses of Benzema with his work ethic on and off the ball and, more importantly, his confidence to take possessions into his own hands and make things happen.
Confidence is such a sticking point for me when I think of Benzema because he oozes it on and off the pitch. And whether you’re watching Gouiri leave someone in the dust or speaking to a reporter, he leaves you with that energy that he knows what he wants and how to get it because he’s an alpha in his position.
So there’s little doubt in my mind why his signing could be one of the more underrated moves that Madrid could do after Mbappe because you’re getting a player of similar quality to one of your legends, and he’ll be able to be groomed by that legend.
Gouiri will only get better from here based on his numbers and well-rounded playing style; Benzema is a prime example. So if I were Real Madrid, I’d jump on this hype train before others start to get the same idea.
Manchester City FW Mahrez (Contract expires 2023)
This signing makes a lot of sense for Real Madrid, whether this summer or next (free transfer), as Riyad Mahrez is just a baller. Although already 31, Riyad Mahrez seems to get better as the years go on.
And yet, despite his best efforts and performances in a Manchester City shirt (scoring at the Bernabeu being one of them), there’s no real concrete movement on another contract for the Algerian.
So, why not make one last big move to the biggest club in the world. Who says no? I wouldn’t.
His signing would be very on-trend to what Madrid has been doing recently in signing proven winners on free transfers or contracts running down to bolster the squad rotation (i.e., Alaba, Rudiger).
As mentioned earlier, beyond really Salah, he’s one of the few right-wingers in the elite tier because of his production in the City eleven.
Real Madrid fans know very well what he could do on the field, as he nearly knocked Madrid out of the Champions League this season with his contributions over the two legs.
He’s quick, his touch is beautiful (see below), can break the lines, beat defenders one v one, has a tremendous left foot, passing is up there with the best, and more importantly, he can do all those things and score as an end product.
He’s currently on 24 goals, eight assists, 1.7 key passes per game, and 1.1 dribbles game while possibly heading to another Premier League title this weekend.
His signing, unlike Antony, would allow Rodrygo to continue to grow into that side of the field because Mahrez would not command as much game time as he continues to get older.
This type of signing would signal more of a push towards Champions League triumph in the present compared to the future molding of this squad, but that’s probably fine with every Madrid fan if we were being honest.
Bayern Munich FW Serge Gnabry (Contract expires 2023)
Here’s another alternative that could come on a cheaper deal because of his contract running down next summer. Germany and Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry, 26, is one of the more versatile and consistent forwards in the Bundesliga.
His profile and skillset as a winger are very attractive to Los Blancos, considering he can play on both wings or as a wide midfielder.
This season he’s compiled 22 goals, seven assists, 2.2 shots per game, 1.3 key passes per game, and 1.7 dribbles per game, which is on par with what Mahrez has done this season.
At Bayern, the German international fly under the radar because of the talented roster around him, but he makes Bayern’s transitional play one of the most dangerous in the world.
He’s comfortable dribbling and scoring with both feet. His off-the-ball movement is simple yet elegant, helping make transitional link-up play seamless when hugging the wings or cutting centrally.
The former Arsenal man loves to create quick one-twos into movements down the wing or into a scoring chance with his strikers, which we’ve seen Benzema and Vinicius have so much success with this year.
And where some wingers may hesitate with their decision-making around the box, Gnabry does not fit this mold. He can beat defenders with his blistering pace one-v-one, but he also has a quick first touch off pressure that allows him to pinpoint which corner of the net to target.
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His lack of indecisiveness and pure skill is exactly what Real Madrid will need heading into next season as other La Liga and Champions League clubs retool their squads for the new campaign.
Considering his relationships with Toni Kroos, Rudiger, and Alaba, this signing could make sense for all parties involved.