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About 10 months ago, Real Madrid was on top of the world. The Spanish giants had just claimed their first La Liga title in five years. They also did something historic, becoming the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League title since the new format.
The team was so good that it outclassed every European elite club in terms of performances in the campaign. The club continued with their impressive form even in the pre-season. Los Blancos humiliated their arch-rivals, FC Barcelona, beating the Catalan giants with an aggregate score of 5-1 to claim the Supercopa de Espana.
After that match, many people labeled them as the team to beat in Europe and expected them to dominate their domestic league as well. However, it is quite unfortunate that the club has failed to meet those expectations this season.
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The Spanish giants experienced a bad start to the season, winning eight, drawing two and losing two of their first 12 matches in La Liga. They are currently 15 points behind Barcelona in La Liga with just 7 matches to go and have also been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey.
The Champions League remains their only hope of lifting silverware this season. In fact, their biggest achievement so far in the campaign is their qualification into the semi-finals of the competition. They defeated Italian champions, Juventus in the quarter -finals with an aggregate score of 4-3.
Despite that, Real Madrid's performance has not been consistent this term. This is because the club sold some vital players in the previous summer and are yet to replace them. James Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata, and Danilo left the club and their voids are yet to be perfectly filled.
Therefore, Zinedine Zidane is planning to upgrade his squad in July, in preparation for the next campaign. So, lets quickly look at 5 players that might switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer:
#5 David De Gea
It is not news that Real want to bring Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Premier League superstar has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital for quite some time now.
In fact, De Gea almost signed with the La Liga outfit but the deal was called off by the Red Devils. However, it is believed that Zinedine Zidane has prioritized the signing of a world-class goalkeeper to replace the inconsistent Keylor Navas and the 27-year-old is being eyed.
De Gea has been fantastic this season, recording 24 saves in 6 Champions League appearances for the English club. The goalkeeper has 102 saves in 32 appearances to keep Manchester United in the second position on the Premier League table.
According to Cadena SER, Los Blancos have reignited their interest in the Spanish International and are ready to tempt Man United with a deal worth £87 million. However, Zidane might face problems in getting his desired star as Jose Mourinho would not be willing to lose him yet.
All stats according to Whoscored.com
#4 Adrien Rabiot
With Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro, Real Madrid already have some of the best midfielders in the world. But following Los Blancos' recent struggles, the club has decided to improve some areas in the squad, including the midfield. With Modric getting closer to the decline of his career, the Spanish giants have agreed to introduce another world-class midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu. Club president, Florentino Perez has reportedly identified Paris Saint-Germain's superstar, Adrien Rabiot as the man to take their midfield forward.
Rabiot joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2010 and has since then become an influential figure at the Par des Princes. The midfielder will definitely add balance to Los Blancos midfield. His contribution to both attack and defense makes him an all-in-one player and his ability to impress in big games is something Zinedine Zidane will definitely like.
Rabiot has been one of the most impressive midfielders in Europe this season, scoring 3 and assisting 7 goals for the Ligue 1 giants. He also has 2460 passes, 42 dribbles, and 25 shots to his name in this campaign. Defensively, the France International has also been brilliant, involving in 66 tackles, 41 interceptions, and 28 clearances in all competitions.
The deal could be a good target for Real Madrid as the player also has his sights on a move to the Spanish capital. Asked about the possibility of joining Real Madrid in the future, the player told The Mirror:
“If an offer from a big club like Real Madrid arrives, you have to consider them. But the most important thing is the present and I’m now focused on this, it’s the best I can do. I have contract until June 2019, so I’m not in a hurry”
All stats according to Whoscored.com
#3 Thibaut Courtois
It is true that Real Madrid desperately need a world-class goalkeeper to strengthen their squad ahead of the next campaign. They have identified Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois as the perfect option in case they fail to secure the signing of David De Gea.
Courtois has been one of the most consistent and hardworking goalkeepers across Europe for the past few years. The Belgian was loaned to Atletico Madrid immediately after Chelsea signed him from Genk in 2011. He returned to the London club in 2014 and ever since then, he has been their first-choice goalkeeper.
However, recent developments at Chelsea have suggested that the goalkeeper might be on his way out of the club, with Real Madrid in pole position to sign him. The Belgian is reportedly not happy with the failure of the English club this campaign. The Blues failed to defend their Premier League crown and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Barcelona. Moreover, they are also far from making it to the European tournament next season.
Therefore, Courtois has his sights set on leaving the club this summer, with a move to the Spanish capital seeming inevitable. The goalkeeper recently stated that his “heart is in Madrid”. Here is what he said in an interview, as reported by Goal:
"My personal situation is related to the city of Madrid.
"My two children live there with their mum. I have my daughter every day on FaceTime. She often tells me that she misses me. My son is still too small to communicate like that.
"Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to return to Spain. As a situation, it is not always easy. Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable.
"If they [Real] want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We'll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid. I love Spain, I love the city, I spent three wonderful years there. It is there that I became an adult.
"Atletico was a real group of friends. We went out together and my team-mates taught me a language I did not know at all when I arrived. When I left, I cried. My first days in London were not easy. England, when I arrived, was colder, more business. Now, I feel very good here.
"I understand that the rumours are coming back today, as we are talking about a new goalkeeper there [at Real]. But I do not pay much attention to that, I stay focused on Chelsea.
"If Real are really interested, my personal situation could influence things. The family aspect is priceless. But I repeat to you that, for the moment, I'm busy talking to Chelsea to extend."
All stats according to Whoscored.com
#2 Eden Hazard
It is true that Real Madrid's attackers have not been convincing since the beginning of the new season. Cristiano Ronaldo has been the only lively attacker in the squad. Zinedine Zidane is reportedly not happy with former Tottenham superstar, Gareth Bale and is looking to offload the Wales international. This implies that the club must sign another superstar to fill the void when the Welsh attacker departs the club.
Spanish newspaper, Don Balon recently claimed that the club has prioritized the signing of Chelsea playmaker, Eden Hazard to replace the attacker. The Belgium international has been linked with a move to Real Madrid several times before now. However, it looks like Los Blancos will finally arrive with great determination to land their man.
The Belgian will be a great addition to the squad and his move might have a great influence on Madrid's title race next season. Eden Hazard is a very fast and creative player with immense skills and talent. His versatility will give Zinedine Zidane a lot of options. The attacker can play as a midfielder, attacking midfielder or as a winger on both flanks. Besides, his ability to dribble with flair and compactness while proving difficult to dispossess has brought comparisons with Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi.
After a slow start to the season due to an injury, Eden Hazard is simply back to his best scoring 15 and assisting 6 goals in 36 matches for Chelsea. However, whether The Blues will allow their star player to leave or not is a big question, but, the transfer of Neymar to PSG is a proof that anything can happen in football.
All stats according to Whoscored.com
#1 Harry Kane
Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema has been struggling in front of goal since last season. The decision of the club to let go of Alvaro Morata in the summer has later come back to hurt them. While Morata has impressed in the Premier League, Benzema has been very dull in the Spanish top flight.
The French superstar has seen the back of the net just 7 times in all competitions this season. Besides, the attacker has experienced major declines in his career, which is one reason why Los Blancos are desperate to introduce a world-class striker in the summer.
Spanish media outlet, Don Balon claimed that Los Blancos have already started tracking the player and are willing to pay a mouth-watering fee of £177 million to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu. The striker will be the perfect man to replace Benzema at the club due to his work rate, overall ability, and clinical finishing. This season, Harry Kane has scored 35 goals and bagged 4 assists for the Premier League club in all competitions. He has also recorded 196 shots, 61 dribbles, and 641 passes. This is why Los Blancos have been right behind him.
The deal could be a reasonable one for Real Madrid as the player himself has refused to rule out a move to the Spanish capital. Ahead of England's recent match against Slovenia, the player was asked about a potential move to the La Liga, he said:
“I would never say no. I would never say yes.
"I think in football, you never know and you never rule out anything. It is not something that I definitely want to do but it could happen. You just never know.
“Like you said, at the moment, I am very happy where I am here – that is all that matters. We will see what happens, but for now, that is all I am focusing on.”
All stats according to Whoscored.com
