Real Madrid are reportedly plotting two sensational signings in next summer’s transfer window by moving for both Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Kylian Mbappe, 22, was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer transfer window. But, a move failed to materialise as PSG didn’t respond to the Spanish club’s staggering final offer worth €200 million for the Frenchman, who has entered the final year of his contract at Parc des Princes.
Chelsea were interested in signing Erling Haaland in the transfer window but had to pull out after being told the centre-forward would cost a mammoth £500million in total and instead, signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. However, Haaland, 21, is understood to have a £64m release clause in his contract next year that is certain to attract some of Europe’s elite clubs.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is targeting moves for both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as he aims to make statement deals in the summer of 2022.
Los Blancos only managed to sign David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga from Bayern Munich and Rennes respectively in the summer transfer window. Carlo Ancelotti has returned to Santiago Bernabeu, replacing Zinedine Zidane after the club went trophyless last season.
With defensive stalwarts like Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane leaving the club in the same transfer window, Ancelotti and Perez face an uphill task of rebuilding their squad ahead in the near future to compete on all fronts.
That being said, here’s how the Real Madrid lineup could look like if they manage to get in Mbappe and Haaland next year.
Real Madrid lineup with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Well, the goalkeeper position picks itself as Thibaut Courtois has established himself as one of the best in Europe and there’s no dislodging him.
Defence
In defence, Dani Carvajal will start at right-back providing he can keep himself injury free and in good shape. Ferland Mendy has still not recovered from the injury which he picked up at the end of the 2020-2021 season, which has seen Ancelotti negotiate the first three games of the new season by using David Alaba and academy product Miguel Gutiérrez at left-back. In the long run, though, Mendy is expected to be the Italian tactician’s first-choice left-back.
Following the high-profile departures of Ramos and Varane, Alaba and Eder Militao is Ancelotti’s preferred centre-back pairing with Nacho and Jesus Vallejo as back-up options.
Midfield
Toni Kroos is yet to feature this season due to a groin injury he picked up during the summer, while Luka Modric has managed only one appearance. In Kroos and Modric’s absence, Ancelotti has had to make do with Casemiro, Federico Valverde and Isco in midfield.
Summer signing Eduardo Camavinga is one of Europe’s exciting young talents and could take at least a season to adapt to the demands of LaLiga. The Frenchman is a box-to-box midfielder and could replace either one of Kroos or Modric in the future.
With Modric set to turn 36 later this month, his minutes may decrease starting this season. By giving opportunities to Camavinga slowly but steadily, Ancelotti must phase the ageing Modric out from the Real Madrid lineup. A midfield trio of Casemiro, Kroos and Camavinga on paper next season looks solid and stable.
Attack
The Real Madrid fans are yet to see the best of Eden Hazard since his arrival from Chelsea two summers ago.
The Belgian playmaker, 30, has struggled to make a telling impact due to injury problems and currently finds himself behind Vinicius Jr. in the pecking order. Once he recovers fully and gets back his lost mojo, Hazard certainly can lock down the left-wing position.
Karim Benzema is ageing like fine wine and remains Real’s undisputed starter. However, next season, Benzema may potentially face stiff competition from Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe—two of world football’s hottest properties, provided Florentino Perez can actually pull off this double transfer bonanza.
Both Mbappe and Haaland will not join Real to warm the benches; instead, they have the quality, experience and the X-factor to walk straight into the manager’s starting XI. One very interesting link-up the fans could witness is the potential for a Hazard—Haaland—Mbappe tandem in the final third, which could certainly be devastating if the Belgian attacker was able to stay fit.
Haaland would provide the ruthlessness and precision in the box that Real have lacked since Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, while Mbappe’s blistering pace, clever movement and playmaking abilities should give them a chance to move on from the injury-prone Gareth Bale.
All in all, a front three of Hazard, Haaland and Mbappe next season would be a stuff of dreams for Real Madrid fans.