Real Madrid may be three points clear at the top of La Liga with a game in hand and safely into the last four of the Champions League but los Blancos are still widely expected to spend big this summer.
With their recent transfer ban now lifted, Zinedine Zidane’s side are free to strengthen an already formidable squad – and here’s who they might just go for…
Kylian Mbappe
Madrid are just one of several top clubs already linked with a blockbuster bid for Kylian Mbappe who has starred this season as part of an exciting, young Monaco team who have taken Europe by storm.
His pace, power and finishing have already brought comparisons to Thierry Henry and seen the 18-year-old grab 22 goals already this season, including four in his first four Champions League knockout games – the first player ever to do so.
While Monaco would be loathe to lose their teenager just yet, reports in Spain have claimed Madrid are willing to spend an eye-watering €100 million which would be difficult to turn down.
Karim Benzema’s future at the Bernabeu is in some doubt after a less than impressive season while Cristiano Ronaldo turned 32 in February and Mbappe could well be the future of the Real Madrid attack.
David De Gea
There’s nothing new about talk of David De Gea swapping Manchester United for Real Madrid, but those whispers have returned with a vengeance this season.
The Spain international famously came close to moving to the Bernabeu in 2015, until a faulty fax machine put paid to his plans, but with Keylor Navas having a shaky season talk of a move for De Gea has returned.
The 26-year-old has been superb for United since joining from Atletico Madrid, although curiously this season he hasn’t hit quite the impressive heights of previous years, is he distracted by the speculation?
De Gea is contracted to United until 2019 and is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £50m, but with United not certain of playing Champions League football next season, he could be tempted by a return to Spain.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard’s return to form this season under Antonio Conte has played a huge part in Chelsea taking the Premier League by storm and 1/7 favourites to be crowned champions once again.
His performances do not appear to have gone unnoticed at the Bernabeu while Hazard has fuelled rumours of a move with recent comments that suggest he could be prised away from Chelsea.
“When it’s not PSG, it’s Real Madrid, then maybe it’s Bayern Munich… strangely last year there wasn’t anybody,” he said. “I may also have personal ambitions to play in other clubs.
“But I’m trying to focus on the present, end up in Chelsea this year. I have a contract until 2020. For now, I’m here and good here.”
If he does leave Hazard will not come cheap, but Madrid have also been linked with using Alvaro Morata to sweeten the deal, which could help with Diego Costa’s future at the club uncertain.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund’s prolific striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has once again set the Bundesliga alight with 26 goals in 27 games for Thomas Tuchel’s side this season.
The Gabon international was not been shy about his interest in moving to La Liga, and Real Madrid in particular, due to a promise he made to his grandfather.
Aubameyang admitted back in January that the time is right to leave Dortmund with the striker set to turn 28 in June.
“If I want to go to the next level, I need to leave in summer,” he told RMC.
“But we must see the proposals and if I’m going to play. Real Madrid is still a dream, but there has been too much noise.”
Aubameyang will certainly be in-demand this summer, he’s in his prime, virtually guarantees goals and his pace and finishing would certainly fit right in at the Bernabeu.
