It has been a summer which has largely been dominated by outgoings at the Bernabéu, which for European Champions Real Madrid, is not the norm. Madrid fans are used to speculation on who will be the next player to join Florentino Pérez’s line of ‘Galáticos’ who tend to arrive every summer.
Lúis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Iker Casillas, Raúl, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are just a few players who have joined that list in the past. However, this summer has been different. Speculation about Ronaldo’s future has dominated the headlines as well as the confirmed departures of Pepe, Fábio Coentrāo, James Rodriguez and most recently Alvaro Morata.
However, there is still plenty of time left before the transfer window slams shut. Could all these players be making way for Pérez to make his latest addition to the ‘Galácticos’?
Recent reports have suggested that Real Madrid are still confident that they can secure the services of 18-year-old wonderkid Kylian Mbappé from Ligue 1 Champions AS Monaco. Despite his age, Mbappé would certainly be Madrid’s marquee signing of the summer with a fee of around £120 million believed to be required to persuade Monaco to sell the youngster.
If Real Madrid were to go in for the striker, it would not represent a gamble. In the 2016/17 campaign, Mbappé scored 15 goals in 29 games in Ligue 1 to help his team claim the league title.
However, it was his performances in the UEFA Champions League which really caused him to become one of the hottest prospects in world football. He scored six goals in nine games as Monaco reached the semi-finals of the competition and exceeded all expectations.
The signing of Mbappé also comes across as a necessary one for Real Madrid, despite their abundance of talent throughout the squad. Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Bale, Lucas Vázquez and Borja Mayoral are the only forwards at the club. Out of all of them, Benzema is arguably the only ‘out-and-out’ striker.
Mbappé would bring something different to Real Madrid’s attack. He is a born goalscorer and loves nothing more than finding the back of the net. He would thrive down the centre of Madrid’s attack with his pace and finishing ability and with world class players in support of him such as Ronaldo and Bale. If Benzema goes the other way in any potential deal for Mbappé, then his goals will be needed even more.
There is no reason why Real Madrid cannot invest £120 million in Mbappé this summer. Despite the fact this would be a world record fee, Pérez has sold many players already this summer, and this could all go towards the signing of Mbappé.
The club will receive £91 million for the sales of Morata and the proposed sale of Danilo to Manchester City alone. Including Benzema in any deal will also reduce the £120 million asking price.
By securing the services of Mbappé, it would also prevent any of their competition across world football from signing him themselves. It is no surprise that the striker has received an enormous amount of interest this summer from many different clubs, including those from the Premier League.
The likes of Manchester City and Arsenal were said to be interested, but if Madrid can beat them to Mbappé’s signature, it reinforces that they are still seen as the biggest club in world football.