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Zinedine Zidane has started his second stint as Real Madrid manager with a big bang by acquiring the services of highly rated Brazilian defender Eder Militao from Portuguese giants FC Porto for a fee reported to be around £43 Million on a six-year contract.
The French manager has been quick to address the defence crisis the Spanish giants have been facing this season as they sit third in the La Liga table, 12 points behind their bitter rivals and runaway leaders Barcelona.
The Los Blancos humiliation in the Champions League round of 16-second leg against Ajax showed that they needed a defender who could take over when Sergio Ramos retires. His absence through suspension was highly felt as Dusan Tadic inspired Ajax to run riot scored 4 against the mighty Real Madrid -13-time Champions League winners.
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Militao has developed into one of the best defenders in Europe since joining FC Porto at the beginning of the season playing a crucial role for the Portuguese side in their impressive Champions League run where they have reached the quarter-finals.
The signing of Militao is a coup by the Los Blancos as the young Brazilian defender was a target by top European sides like Machester United, PSG and Liverpool. It's reported that Zidane has been given £300 Million war chest to beef up his squad in the summer. That means there are more to follow into the footsteps of the Brazilian this summer.
Here is a look at 5 players who could join Zinedine Zidane second revolution at Real Madrid in the summer.
#5 Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen has developed into one of the best-attacking midfielders in Europe since joining Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster from Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam in 2013. He has racked up 49 assists and 39 goals during his in 7-years stay in English Premier League.
Real Madrid creativity has been in question this season, therefore the addition of an elite playmaker in the calibre of Christian Eriksen would really lift their play next season. Zidane is aware of the Dane's talent as he was influential in Tottenham victory over Real Madrid last season.
Eriksen is stalling on a new contract at White Hart Lane making a summer switch to the Bernabeu very possible.
#4 Mauro Icardi
Icardi may be nearing an end to his illustrious spell with Inter Milan as he is having problems with the management which made him be stripped off the captaincy of the club and is currently not playing despite being fit.
Luciano Spalleti's comment after their Derby victory against AC Milan that Lautaro can solve Inter's striker problems means that there is little hope for Icardi to recalled to the team.
The Argentine joined Inter Milan as a youth and has developed into one of the best strikers in Italian top flight and in European top leagues with his goalscoring exploits for the Nerazzurri where he has scored 122 goals in 210 appearances.
Before being sidelined, Icardi had scored 9 goals in 20 league appearances for Inter Milan this season and his absence was really felt by the Nerazzurri as they crushed out of the Europa League round of 16.
At 26-years, Icardi is on the peak of his career and could be a perfect replacement for ageing Karim Benzema. His current situation with Inter Milan could present an opportunity for Real Madrid to pounce and land one of Europe's deadliest striker.
#3 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is finally showing the world why Manchester United splashed millions to re-sign him from Juventus. The appointment of Olé Gunnar Solskjaer as interim Manchester United manager has had a positive impact on the Frenchman career who was reduced to a bench role during Jose Mourinho last season in charge of the Red Devils.
Pogba is enjoying a record-breaking season where he has scored 11 goals and laid 9 assists in the English Premier League. It has been rumoured that the French midfield maestro could leave if Manchester United fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Red Devils are facing a tough test to qualify for Champions League next season as they sit 5th in the table, 2 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with 8 matches to go. Winning the UEFA Champions League will also earn an automatic qualification but the Red Devils have to go past Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid are in dire need of a box to box midfielder and Paul Pogba would fit the bill perfectly well.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe is continuing his blistering form that helped France national football team to clinch their second FIFA World Cup trophy last year in Russia. He has scored 31 goals in 35 matches in all competitions for PSG this season.
The French youngster has outshone the world most expensive player-Neymar this season as he is leading the French Ligue 1 scoring charts with a whopping 26 goals.
Real Madrid were rocked by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese attacker sealed a sensational move to Juventus in the summer. The Los Blancos failed to replace the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner and the French youngster could be an able replacement for the departed star.
At 20 years old, Mbappe could star for Real Madrid for many years as he has shown his pedigree as a world-class attacker.
#1 Eden Hazard
The Belgian wizard has been in sensational form for the Blues this season despite their struggle in the League. He has hit double figures for goals and assists this season with 13 goals and 11 assists in the English Premier League this season.
Hazard had revealed his admiration of playing under Zinedine Zidane describing him as his footballing idol when he was growing up.
Real Madrid have been monitoring the Belgian for a while now and with the return of the French Manager, the possibility of Eden Hazard linking up with the Bernabeu this summer has increased.
The Los Blancos need to make a statement signing in the summer to rival their bitter rivals Barcelona who have been dominating La Liga after Cristiano Ronaldo left. Eden Hazard arrival could lift Real Madrid's attack and help improve on the average season they've had to make them a dominant force in La Liga again.
