Real Madrid are expected to have a busy transfer window after a solid year on and off the pitch. They have around £350-M available to spend because of the windfall from their wins this season – particularly in La Liga and in the Champions League.
The amazing thing about Los Blancos is that they’ve kept on winning despite being frugal in these past windows. But with a huge target on their backs because they’re backed heavily by the La Liga 2022 odds, now is the time for them to further strengthen.
Los Blancos started briskly by bringing in Aurelien Tchouameni to further bolster their vaunted midfield that already has the likes of Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga. And they’ve also brought in centre-back Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea via a free transfer.
For a club like Real Madrid, they always feel that there’s more room for improvement. And today, we’ll examine their biggest transfer needs as of the moment.
Striker/Forward
It’s no secret that Carlo Ancelotti has an aging team at his disposal, so it makes sense for them to add some young blood.
While they’re still benefitting from Karim Benzema’s brilliance up front with 42 goals and 14 assists in all competitions this term, the 34-year-old talisman is slowly approaching the twilight of his decorated career.
Benzema had his share of injuries this season and they looked lost without him on the pitch, so pairing him with another top forward alongside Vinicius Junior should make Los Blancos even stronger.
Kylian Mbappe was supposed to be Benzema’s heir apparent and it looked like he was about to join them, but he decided to stay in Paris instead.
Also, they’re expected to offload the likes of Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz while Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale are also likely to move elsewhere, with the former gaining interest from several rival clubs.
So Christopher Nkunku would be the most marquee option for Los Blancos given his strong 2021-22 season, amassing 31 goals and 14 assists for RB Leipzig.
He is also French like Benzema and they already know each other. But more importantly, Nkunku is versatile enough to play either as a striker, winger, or an attacking midfielder.
Amine Gouiri is another Frenchman that Real Madrid might consider given his untapped potential. Playing for Nice this season, the 22-year-old had 10 goals and nine assists and he apparently models his game after Karim Benzema.
Goalkeeper
Real Madrid should also try to get a serviceable backup keeper behind Thibaut Courtois, who is currently in his physical prime. The big Belgian just turned 30 last month and he was the main reason why his team won the Champions League final versus Liverpool.
Playing behind him is Andriy Lunin, who is looking to go elsewhere since Courtois is there. The 23-year-old is understandably tired of playing second fiddle to the Belgian shot stopper.
Los Blancos are reportedly offering Lunin a new contract before loaning him out in the transfer window in order for him to get more playing time, while West Ham United and Tottenham are reportedly looking to scoop him up.
According to reports, they’re keeping tabs on David Ospina’s situation since his current contract with Napoli expires at the end of this season. Ancelotti and Ospina have worked together in Naples before, so bringing him over at the Bernabeu gives Courtois a suitable backup.
Ospina has fared decently since joining Napoli from Arsenal in 2019. He has been the Partenopei’s first-choice goalkeeper ever since and he has secured 39 clean sheets in his 103 appearances.
Full-back
Los Blancos are fairly deep in the full-back position. But with Marcelo leaving the club this summer, perhaps they might consider adding another capable body there.
As of now, Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal are their first-choice full-backs while David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez are also options with the arrival of Antonio Rudiger. But other than those five, there’s not much else.
Real Madrid can go young and bring in Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano. The 22-year-old has the tools physically and he played a huge role to their 1-0 wins over Barcelona in October and in April.
Another intriguing option would be Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia, who’s also a target for several other clubs in Europe. The Dutchman’s pace as a defender is off the charts and he only commands a market value of €17-M despite his upside.
A big summer awaits for Real Madrid and the rest of La Liga, so continue to tune in here at SBOTOP for the latest La Liga 2022 updates.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
