Real Madrid's transfer plan: Mbappé, Haaland, Camavinga…
Real Madrid, who are reluctant to spend big for now, have established a clear picture of when they want to go after their major targets.
The financial crisis caused by the coronavirus, coupled with the success enjoyed by a title-winning squad that has shown its potential to go on performing, has left Real Madrid reluctant to spend big in the transfer market for the time being.
Los Blancos’ aim for this close-season is to concentrate on outs rather than ins, with the likeliest recruits being returning loanees (goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is set to be Thibaut Courtois’ understudy, for example). As far as significant purchases go, Madrid’s plans are overwhelmingly focused on 2021 and beyond.
Mbappé in 2021
Real Madrid’s chief target for the future, Kylian Mbappé is viewed as the cornerstone of the team the club wants to grace the Nuevo Bernabéu after the redevelopment of their stadium is completed in 2022. Madrid have opted to put off any attempts to sign Mbappé until 2021, given that he is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain the following year and could be snapped up for a reasonable price.
So far, everything is going to plan for Madrid: the 21-year-old has stalled on a new deal at PSG, despite three separate contract offers coming in. That said, all would not necessarily be lost for the Spaniards were Mbappé to renew, as he could seek to include a clause allowing him to leave for the likes of Madrid for a set fee.
Camavinga in 2021
Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga is at the top of Madrid’s midfield wish list. He has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season, but Rennes chiefs are eager to get big money for the 17-year-old and are holding out for 80 million euros - a stance that has led Madrid to rule out his arrival this summer in favour of going after him again next year.
The risk for Madrid is that the player has doubts about whether or not he should wait, and is currently giving serious consideration to the offers he has from other major clubs, with PSG and Bayern Munich both eyeing swoops.
Camavinga is also weighing up signing an extension to his deal at Rennes, which expires in 2022. If he does put pen to paper with the French club, Madrid would be less likely to pick him up for a knockdown fee in 12 months’ time.
Haaland in 2022
Having proved a sensation at RB Salzburg, Erling Braut Haaland has kicked on to another level again at Borussia Dortmund, who signed the Norwegian international for a 20-million-euro fee that now looks like peanuts.
This newspaper has learned that Haaland, 20, doesn’t have a clause in his Dortmund contract that allows him to leave for 75 million euros this summer. However, what is in place is a verbal agreement between the German club and Mino Raiola, Haaland’s agent, to negotiate a move after the 2021/22 season for a reasonable price. That’s when Real Madrid will decide whether or not to move for the striker.
Karim Benzema’s current contract is due to expire at that point, although the Frenchman can be expected to renew his deal before then, particularly given his stellar form for Los Blancos in recent times.
Badiashile in 2020?
AS understands that AS Monaco have put a 30-million-euro price tag on Benoit Badiashile, the one man on this list who could potentially arrive at the Bernabéu this summer.
A 19-year-old central defender who is also interesting other Spanish clubs such as Valencia, he has been recommended to Real Madrid by head coach Zinedine Zidane, who did likewise with another young French centre-back, Raphael Varane, some years back.
His affordable asking price means Madrid could move for him this summer if they can add further player sales to the 40-million-euro departure of Achraf Hakimi to Inter Milan. However, although central defence is a position in which the champions could do with strengthening their options, Badiashile is not seen as a priority.