There used to be a time when the top talent in world football were expected to eventually end up at Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo thrived at Manchester United but an eventual switch to the Estadio Bernabeu was always in the pipeline given his affection for Los Blancos during his childhood.
Madrid is usually the club of every player's dreams especially those that have already represented their favorite club. Trent Alexander-Arnold spent his entire career at boyhood side Liverpool and decided he'd achieved everything he set out to at Anfield.
Kylian Mbappe is the last Galactico-esque signing to take place and that was an easy operation because he became a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. It seems the club aren't prepared to fork out hefty fees to sign the top performers in Europe and world football.
Real Madrid ruling out two of the world's best
It looks increasingly likely that one or two new midfielders will arrive at Madrid this summer. But don't expect Florentino Perez to get the chequebook out and swoop for a proven elite midfielder.
According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Los Blancos hold a great admiration for PSG's Vitinha and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez. The duo have been linked with the club in recent weeks and are two of Europe's most highly-admired midfielders.
But a deal for either of the pair is deemed "impossible" because of the finances involved. While its understandable that it wouldn't be possible for both to arrive at the Bernabeu this summer surely there's enough money in the bank to sign one of them.
A frustrating stance given the need for a world class midfielder
Reports claim that Fernandez would be keen on a move and the Argentine midfielder has dreamed of playing for Los Merengues. It's claimed that Chelsea are likely to value the 25-year-old at around €100-110m.
This is in the same ballpark as the fee Madrid paid Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham back in the summer of 2023. It is expensive but it's been clear throughout the season that a game-changing midfield signing is needed.
Fernandez, who helped his side win the Club World Cup last summer, has appeared 36 times across competitions this season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists. He has been the Blues' engine room and his versatility would have been a massive benefit at the Bernabeu.
Madrid would reportedly be looking at around €100m for Vitinha who became a European champion with PSG last season. The Portuguese finished third in last year's Ballon d'Or race and there might not be a better midfielder in Europe right now.
The 25-year-old has appeared 31 times across competitions this season, posting six goals and 10 assists. He has anchored Luis Enrique's midfield with aplomb and could hold down the fort for Los Blancos for the next five years.
The duo's age profiles are ideal for one of them to arrive and help bolster a midfield in need of a refresh. But it seems Perez isn't willing to spend big on a new midfielder this summer and will instead continue to focus on a youth strategy that has yet to fully reap the rewards.