Five players who are likely to join Real Madrid this summer after Kylian Mbappe’s last-minute ditch
Follow Us
Kylian Mbappe chose Paris Saint-Germain over Real Madrid, so the LaLiga champions, Real Madrid need a rethink if they want to bring in a new forward.
Real Madrid will have been left shaken by Kylian Mbappe’s decision to snub them in favour of a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain. It was common knowledge that Madrid wanted to bring in Mbappe and shape their team around the France striker for the next decade.
The Spanish champions have been used to getting what they want, but this time they have failed to land their number one target, with PSG’s financial muscle undoubtedly a significant factor.
Now Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez must consider the club’s next course of action. Do they rely on Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior next season, or has there been a backup plan if Mbappe reached this decision?
Here are football superstars or prodigies that Real Madrid might target this summer as an alternative to Kylian Mbappe-
5. Paulo Dybala (Juventus/Argentina)
Mbappe would have arrived in Madrid on a free transfer, given his contract at PSG was coming to an end. If their priority is to pick up a forward without an initial transfer fee outlay, then Dybala becomes an option. Roma and a host of Premier League clubs have been linked with the Argentina international, whose Juventus contract is expiring.
He has scored at least 15 goals in five of his seven seasons with Juve, and would bring a creative presence to Madrid, and bundles of trophy-winning experience.
4. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig/France)
If Madrid cannot have Mbappe for now, then his and Benzema’s France team-mate Nkunku looks like a strong alternative option. With 35 goals and 20 assists in 51 games for Leipzig this season and winning the DFB-Pokal Cup, Nkunku has proven himself in Germany and in European competition, and the obvious next step is a move to a super-club.
The 24-year-old PSG academy graduate pipped the likes of Lewandowski and Erling Haaland to be named the Bundesliga’s player of the year, underlining his status as a growing force in the game.
This will surely be taken advantage of by those who want to bet on Real Madrid with free bet offers, which will surely give the white team as one of the favorites.
3. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria)
Riyad Mahrez scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League second leg to make it 5-3 on aggregate to Manchester City which was eventually of no prevail as the Los Blancs would come up with a historic comeback winning the match with 6-5 in aggregate in extra-time.
Riyad Mahrez’s signing would be a short-term fix for Real Madrid as the City winger is 30 years old and would be a cheaper alternative as he is in the final year of his contract.
Keeping in mind that Kylian Mbappe has just signed a three-year contract extension with PSG and would be 26 years old on the expiry of that contract with his prime years still ahead, Real Madrid would certainly fancy someone with Mahrez’s ability who could instantly contribute to the team.
2. Richarlison (Everton/Brazil)
After five years spent fumbling around mid-table and the lower reaches of the Premier League with Watford and latterly Everton, Richarlison seems long overdue a move to a club where he might challenge for honours. The 25-year-old has previously been linked with Madrid and Barcelona, and more recently Manchester United, and he would bring a roving threat to any side he joins.
Capable of playing wide or in the centre, or flitting between roles, Richarlison has reached double figures in Premier League goals in three of his four seasons with Everton, and in a World Cup year, this could be the ideal time to move for the striker. Should he dazzle at Qatar 2022, that price tag could go skywards.
1. Darwin Nunez (Benfica/Uruguay)
It seems every team in Europe is exploring the possibility of signing Darwin Nunez and Real Madrid will be no different from having the Mbappe deal fall through. The 22-year-old has been one of the standout stars of the season, netting 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica.
Nunez will have no shortage of suitors however, having spent a season with Almeria prior to moving to Portugal, Nunez could favour a return to Spain with Los Blancos. Nunez can play as a lone striker as well as on the wide flanks with his pace and raw strength making him a nightmare for opposition defences.
Stay Updated!
Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)