Which Real Madrid attacker is the most expensive? Mbappé and Endrick set to complete front line

Soccer has evolved in intensity, in the number of matches and in travel mileage. It has indeed multiplied and Real Madrid have long had a strategy to combat the change: they have an arsenal full of Galácticos in attack and all of them 25-years-old or younger.

The project will come to fruition next summer as a long journey comes to an end: with the arrival of Mbappé (25-years-old) and Endrick (18), the club will complete the process that is currently led by Vinicius (23), Bellingham (20), Rodrygo (23), Brahim (24) and Güler (19).

They are seven huge stars with a combined market value at the moment, according to Transfermarkt, of €715 million ($770m). But neither the original Galácticos (Raúl, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham and Zidane), nor their next incarnation led by the omnipotent figure of Cristiano Ronaldo (along with Benzema, Kaká, Bale, Xabi Alonso, etc.) were so well reinforced by another wave of midfielders and defenders possessing both a youthfulness and physical capacity beyond anything seen before...

Madrid have Leny Yoro in their sights

The engine room will be propelled by Valverde (25-years-old) whose energetic output every season breaks records, plus the endless mobility of Camavinga (21) and Tchouaméni (24) as security guards. And at the back, the supersonic speed of Alphonso Davies (24 years old) and chief sweeper Militão, the only one of the twelve players mentioned so far to have turned 26-years-old.

The Spanish club are also planning how to incorporate a player they have identified as the Brazilian’s future defensive partner. French centre-back Leny Yoro (18-years-old, 1.90 meters), who, as reported by AS, finishes his contract with Lille in 2025 and is in Madrid’s sights. The club are evaluating whether it is better to take on his cost now (around €60m) or wait until 2025 to land him for free (with a signing bonus). One way or another, Yoro is the chosen one and the intention from Madrid is to also generate an elite repertoire of top-level defenders.

The great sin of the first Galáctico project at the beginning of the century was the lack of depth at the back, where the club preferred to save and use home-grown players such as Pavón, Mejía, Miñambres and Rubén. It was a strategic error that was complemented by poor signings in the engine room (Gravesen, Celades, Pablo García...) and outright failures at the back (Woodgate and Walter Samuel).

Who is Real Madrid’s most expensive attacker?

Returning to the present, and to the seven-piece attack that is being configured, Madrid are studying whether or not to add the final touch: Joselu. The Galician’s performance this year has long satisfied the club’s leadership, and his purchase price (€1.5m) is almost insane given the numbers he has offered in front of goal during his loan (14 goals from his role as a regular substitute). The club is in no hurry and will also listen to Joselu himself, as Mbappé and Endrick will come to play in the same position.

The Galácticos 3.0 are taking shape...

The great open secret of the summer. All roads in Kylian Mbappé's future lead to the Bernabéu. Madrid are discreetly working on the final details of his signing (contract clauses, presentation...) with the certainty that a truly elite talent will arrive. At 25-years.old, he has 277 goals as a professional and 46 with France.

The figurehead of the ‘sign young players at an affordable price and make them stars in Madrid’ philosophy (yes, the title needs work) that the club adopted is Vini Jr. He exemplifies the complete process: a signing made before the age of 18, beginning with the question marks typical of age and the distrust of one of his coaches before, finally, five years later, he becomes a world star. The left wing, even if Mbappé arrives, is his.

Bellingham, Rodrygo and Brahim: youthful talent

The last great strategic signing of the club, the recent star of the show and someone who has the Madrid fans purring at his personality. Jude said ‘no’ to Manchester City and rejected a return to his native country to go to Spain and play for Madrid. And his impact has been biblical in LaLiga (16 goals) and in the Champions League (4 goals). Ancelotti has managed to multiply the Englishman’s finishing ability, whose limit seems to have no ceiling.

Somewhat in the shadow of Vinicius, Rodrygo knows how to be differential on his own. His role in the the last Champions League victory confirmed the forward as a talent with a nose for the moment of truth. And his magic touch with the Champions League (18 goals and 11 assists in 47 games) is a bonus that Madrid see as essential. He is part of the Real Brazil team that will lead the Canarinha and Ancelotti has immense faith in him.

From being barely counted on to becoming a player capable of generating a national debate with his decision between the Spanish and Moroccan national teams, Brahim has scored nine goals, got five assists and continues to delight: his genius against Leipzig and his sprint in the Super Cup derby will remain in the memory of the Madridistas. The role that Asensio did not know how to play is being fulfilled superbly well by the Malagueño. And he is on the rise.

Gone is his anxiety when Arda Güler’s injuries piled up and his debut with Madrid did not come. His left foot is a wand: “He is an extraterrestrial for his age,” Ancelotti said. He has seen the reward from just a few minutes (98) with sparks (that goal against Celta, his crossbar effort from the halfway line against Osasuna) that reveal his potential. Türkiye is going crazy and Real Madrid fans are waiting.

Endrick did not have to wait as long as Güler to play at the Bernabéu. A week ago he followed up his goal at Wembley, his first with the canarinha senior team, with another goal immediately afterwards at the Bernabéu. Madrid identified him as a future star when he was only 16-years-old and in July, when he turns 18, he will start as a Real Madrid player. He is not afraid of the challenge of starting in the shadow of Mbappé.