The summer transfer window officially opens in a week’s time, but the crazy season is already upon us as clubs look to strengthen their squad with clever signings. After executing a brilliant season, where Zinedine Zidane took squad rotations to another level, it has become apparent that Real Madrid are set for a sustained period of dominance should they keep on making the correct tweaks here and there.
Over the course of the season, the super quality of bench players allowed Real Madrid to win its first major double in almost 60 years. However, they are not resting on laurels and are seeking some of the most talented young stars in the world.
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They have already been linked with quite a few players, so here are five of the most prominent of those name and we look at the possibility of them arriving at Bernabeu in the summer.
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Transfer fee: free transfer, Chances of joining: 10%
This seems out of the blue, doesn’t it? After sustaining a long-term injury and subsequently being released by Manchester United, the Swede is now a free agent and apparently wants to join Real Madrid for one last hurrah in Spain according to Diario Gol.
While this feels nothing more than your daily BS of the rumour mill, what if this really happens? Ibrahimovic is a world renowned striker and his abilities only seem to get better with age. He might be injured right now, but it won’t be long before he makes a comeback.
And if Cristiano Ronaldo really departs from the club, they will need someone to fill up his scoring boots—and Ibrahimovic could do that alright. The only downside of this move is his age—but he would be short-term fix anyway—and the large ego that he brings with himself.
All in all, he would be a 7/10 signing for Real Madrid.
#4 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Transfer fee: free transfer next season or €30 million now, Chances of joining: 50%
Signing him would basically guarantee the safety of Madrid’s goal for the next 20 years or so. The 18-year-old is the most talented goalkeeper of his age group and could go on to become the best shot-stopper of his era if not all time.
However, Madrid will have to wait for his contract to expire next year before they could sign him for free or sign him now for the aforementioned amount. After rejecting a new contract with Milan, it seems as though he was destined to leave the club. However, new reports claim that he is rethinking his decision and could yet sign an extension with the Italians.
For someone who is being labelled as the next Buffon, and someone who displaced a well-established Diego Lopez from the starting XI at the mere age of 16, he is definitely a star in the making and Madrid would have the best goalkeeper in their ranks should they be able to acquire his signature.
Free or not, he would be a 10/10 signing for the Whites.
#3 Dani Ceballos
Transfer fee: €15 million, Chances of joining: 60%
This is a signing that doesn’t make much sense given that Real Madrid are already stuffed to the neck in midfield with the likes of Marcos Llorente, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Kovacic and Isco in the team. However, what can’t be argued is the talent that the young Spaniard possesses.
His apparent hatred for Barcelona and innate all-round abilities on and off the ball will make him an instant hero among the Blancos’ supporters. Not only is he a great dribbler who has incredible vision, but he is an all-action midfielder that never neglects his defensive duties and likes to run from one box to another.
However, he is still young and will definitely lack the playing time necessary in order to grow as a footballer. There is also a risk of him becoming the Illarramendi of Real Madrid, who is an exceptional footballer but struggled at the Bernabeu. It is difficult to say no to Real Madrid, but with so many options in midfield that provide the same things as him, it would be wise for him to not join the club as of now.
Regardless, his talent on the ball and relatively low release clause makes him an 8/10 signing.
#2 Theo Hernandez
Transfer fee: €26 million, Chances of joining: 95%
This is practically a done deal but is yet to be announced by either club. Theo Hernandez, who was on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid, is seen as a natural successor to Marcelo’s throne. Although it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid could ever again have a left-back as explosive as the Brazilian, Theo Hernandez’s abilities make him the perfect understudy for Marcelo.
The Spaniard is as fiery as it gets but also makes sure that his defensive duties aren’t neglected. He is also somewhat of a specialist free-kick taker, but with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, it is unlikely that his set-piece skills will be used regularly.
Nevertheless, Madrid are getting one of the best full-back prospects in Theo Hernandez. His constant up and down routine on the left causes a lot of chaos for the opposition, as he has shown this season. However, there seems to be somewhat of a problem with his personality given his sudden shift in allegiance for the Spain national team after representing France at various youth levels.
So Zidane has a talent in his hand but must handle him with care. For this, he would be an 8/10 signing for Madrid.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Transfer fee: North of a €100 million, Chances of joining: 75%
And the kid of the hour, the most sought-after player in Europe, the one many claim will be THE best player in the world in the future, Kylian Mbappe is a star on the rise. After only becoming a first-team regular in November last year, he hasn’t looked back and has forged his way up to stardom.
After breaking numerous records in his short time in competitive football, Mbappe seems destined for greatness and Real want to be a part of that greatness. While a host of clubs, including Arsenal and PSG, are after his signature, the player, according to reports, has set his sight on a move to Madrid—the club of his heart.
Despite being only 18, he has shown an incredible amount of maturity whenever he has played as his decision-making is a cut above the rest of the youngsters. And it shows. Not only does he have great ball-control skills, he also knows when to go for the finish or when to pass to his team-mates.
However, there is always a risk signing an 18-year-old with only seven months of top-flight experience and that too for a world record fee. Having said that, he is too much of a talent to lose his way. This is why, he will be a 9.5/10 signing for Real Madrid even for a record fee.
