Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are planning to strengthen three positions next season, with a striker needed amid Benzema injury problem.
Although the summer transfer window is still a ways off, if a report from SPORT is to be believed, Real Madrid appear to have begun planning for it.
Indeed, the publication claims that the current European and Spanish champions have identified left-back, center-midfield, and center-forward as the three crucial positions they wish to bolster in the summer.
Ferland Mendy, who plays regularly but hasn’t entirely won over the Real Madrid management, is currently the left-back position. Therefore, it’s unclear whether the club will offer the Frenchman a new contract or let him go.
So, a new left-back might wind up joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2019—possibly in the form of former prospect Fran Garcia.
Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos all have contracts that expire at the end of the current campaign in the central midfield position. The latter two are probably going to be renewed, but not Ceballos.
Furthermore, Real Madrid needs to start considering their options after Modric, who will turn 38 in less than a year. Jude Bellingham comes into the picture at this point. Los Blancos’ top priority in bolstering the midfield is the 19-year-old Englishman, but they will face fierce competition.
Last but not least, Real Madrid will look for a new center-forward, which makes perfect sense given Karim Benzema’s recent injury issues and Mariano Diaz’s impending departure.
Endrick is reportedly the club’s top target, but he won’t be able to join until 2024, when he turns 18. Another name on the list is Erling Haaland, but his release clause won’t take effect until the summer of 2024, making him a target as well.
Therefore, it will be intriguing to see what approach Real Madrid takes in their search for a new striker next summer – whether they decide to invest in a young player with an eye toward the future or opt for a stop-gap solution by bringing in a veteran.
Along with these changes, a third right-back may be added to challenge Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal, and Real Madrid will also think about bringing Brahim Diaz back into the first-team picture after his loan stint at AC Milan.
