Real Madrid have made it clear that with a loaded attack, their main priority this coming summer transfer window will be to beef up the defense and midfield further. They actually did help the defense last summer with the signings of Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, but there are still issues to iron out - and Carlo Ancelotti was begging Florentino Perez to sign better defenders for years.
And the previous summer, Real Madrid let Luka Modric go, which has had devastating consequences. With Toni Kroos retiring, both Ancelotti and then Xabi Alonso wanted a new midifeld conductor, but Flo and the Merengue board, once again, cheaped out and didn't sign anyone.
Now they are realizing their mistake. Rodri is fliring with Real Madrid quite openly during this international break, but it doesn't sound like he is a serious option for Perez. Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea is another proven Premier League option, but while he scores goals, the Blues themselves ar questioning if Enzo is worth the money because of how much he struggles to truly set the tempo against top sides.
Real Madrid still want Adam Wharton
According to a report from the Daily Mail's Nathan Salt, who covers Manchester United, Real Madrid have re-entered the race for Crystal Palace standout Adam Wharton. The young No. 6 is one of the best up and coming midfielders in the Premier League, hence why the likes of Man United want him to transform them in the middle of the park.
Wharton is a class tempo setter and technician who creates chances and screens defenses. In fact, Liverpool are looking at him as a serious option for their deep lying playmaking needs, especially with Real Madrid understandably reluctant to sell their own starting No. 6, Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni.
Real Madrid need a backup to Tchou, and Wharton is ideal. Salt reports that the Royal Whites have been sending out their scouts to watch the England international. He ranks third on their list behind Enzo Fernandez and Rodri, but because he is cheaper (at least in wages, compared to Rodri) and younger than the two, he may move up that list to No. 1. And he is more proven than Kees Smit, whose recent film has been a bit disappointing.
Consider Wharton the profile of player that Real Madrid need. He is young, only has his best years ahead of him, and is already showing he is top player in his league. Now, Real Madrid usually sign midfielders further along in their development than Wharton is currently, but they have to get in earlier these days since everything is accelerated on the market with how powerful the Premier League is getting.