'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have always boasted a sense of luxury and extravagance under Florentino Perez.
Perez has been the club's president for four different terms since 2000. Real Madrid has often been described as 'spendthrift' under the charismatic president and his tenure has often been associated with widespread profligacy.
Perez and Real Madrid have broken the world transfer record several times over the years. They have brought in world-class players such as Gareth Bale, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Bernabeu has been home to some of the finest stars in world football and their trophy cabinet is reflective of the same. Over the past few years, Madrid have not made massive moves in the transfer market which is uncharacteristic of the club.
However, there is a certain buzz in the football world that says this: the upcoming transfer window will mark Perez's return to his big-spending ways. Let's take a look at five players who could become Florentino Perez's next Galactico.
#5. Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football.
The Dutchman was the subject of a massive bidding war during the summer of 2019. De Ligt was Ajax's youngest-ever captain in the club's illustrious history and was certainly worthy of a big fee.
De Ligt ultimately signed for Juventus in July 2019 for a reported €75 million. The Dutchman moved to Turin with lofty expectations, with the club's faithful trusting in De Ligt to make Juventus winners once again.
In the two years since, it's fair to say that the move hasn't particularly worked out. De Ligt has won a Serie A title, as well as a Coppa Italia and a Supercopa, but Juventus still aren't considered the giants they once were.
With De Ligt seemingly up for sale, Perez would in all probability love to make De Ligt one of his marquee signings in defense.
#4. Harry Kane
Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in world football right now.
The Tottenham Hotspur man has been at the club since the tender age of 11 and has come up through the ranks to become the club's captain. Kane is considered one of the best footballers in England and also captains the national side.
Kane's career so far has been filled with numerous individual accomplishments. Despite failing to win any major trophies with the club, Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot on three different occasions.
Kane also won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup. In his 12 years with the club, Kane has amassed 364 appearances, scoring 233 goals in the process.
Kane was the subject of multiple bids from Manchester City last summer, with all of them being turned down by club chairman Daniel Levy. With the player reportedly worth £90 million, Tottenham would benefit greatly from his sale as the player's contract runs out in 2024.
#3. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah is arguably one of the best players in world football.
The Egyptian has been with Liverpool since 2017 and has been in electric form throughout the period. Salah has several club records to his name and was instrumental in the side's recent successes.
Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot during his first two seasons with the club. He helped his side to win not only the UEFA Champions League but also the league title for the first time in the Premier League era.
Salah's individual record is stunning. The 29-year-old has made 229 appearances for Liverpool, scoring a mammoth 148 goals while also providing 56 assists. The Egyptian's contract runs out in June next year.
Liverpool have made a couple of attempts to tie Salah down on a long-term contract, with no luck so far. Real Madrid will be licking their chops, considering they can easily afford Salah's wage. Salah's future depends completely on how much Liverpool are willing to pay their most prized asset.
#2. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is possibly the world's best striker, alongside Robert Lewandowski.
The 21-year-old has constantly made headlines over the past couple of years. Haaland first burst onto the scene during his time with RB Salzburg. Haaland spent a year with the club, scoring a ridiculous 29 goals in just 27 appearances.
He was then signed by Borussia Dortmund almost immediately, where he continues to replicate his previous goalscoring form. In his two years with the club, Haaland has made 77 appearances, scoring an incredible 78 goals.
Haaland also won the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2020 and boasts an incredible goalscoring average of over a goal every game. There are not many players in world football who can show such high numbers.
These accomplishments have resulted in Haaland finding himself on the radar of Europe's top clubs. Real Madrid have been very open about their interest in the Norwegian and will certainly try to sign him this summer.
#1. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is one of the most accomplished youngsters on the football scene.
The 23-year-old has already enjoyed a fine career, the kind which is incredibly difficult to match even for world-class stars. Mbappe features primarily as a winger and is capable of playing as a striker as well.
Having started out with Monaco initially, Mbappe attracted a lot of attention with his goalscoring prowess. Mbappe became the club's youngest-ever player in their history and also won the coveted Golden Boy trophy in 2017.
2018 saw Mbappe move to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of €180 million, becoming the world's most expensive teenager in history and the second-most expensive buy of all time.
Mbappe's three years with PSG have been nothing short of phenomenal. He has won three Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France trophies and two League Cups to boot. The French prodigy also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with the French national side becoming only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Pele.
Mbappe has also won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot for the last three years in a row. His goalscoring record is simply incredible and his admiration for Real Madrid is well documented.
Seemingly a match made in heaven, the football world is only waiting for Mbappe to put pen to paper and move to sunny Spain.
