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For the last few seasons, Real Madrid have shied away from pursuing their famous "Galactio" transfers. The European Super League debacle, along with the financial deficit brought about by COVID-19, has forced the club to make smarter moves in the transfer market. Indeed, it is unusual to see multiple transfer windows go by without Los Blancos pursuing a superstar name.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe flirations
Ever since he burst onto the scene as a teenager with AS Monaco, Mbappe's star has risen to the very top of European football. Many expect him to fill the massive shoes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who are approaching the twilight of their careers.
With Mbappe a self-confessed fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid's potential move for the France superstar is often spoken of with a sense of inevitability. Having turned down a new contract at PSG, it appears as though Kylian Mbappe's move to the Santiago Bernabeu is only a matter of time. However, the current transfer climate is rather inconducive to the large transfer fees the World Cup Winner would demand.
Here are 5 alternative names that Real Madrid could pursue instead of Kylian Mbappe.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy the odds with his goalscoring returns and physical capability, and at 36 has just won the Euro 2020 Golden Boot.
Any other football club in the world would jump at the offer to see their record goalscorer and greatest player of the 21st century return "home". One could argue most teams wouldn't have let a superstar of that caliber depart in the first place.
Real Madrid, however, don't quite operate that way. The likes of Iker Casillas, Raul and now Sergio Ramos have all been shown unceremonious exits in the twilight of their careers.
Cristiano Ronaldo, however, sits in an echelon of his own amongst the greats of Los Blancos. Should he choose to spend his "Last Dance" in the white of Real Madrid once again, the commercial and sentimental factors would be impossible to resist.
#4 Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
After a poor season in the blue of Manchester City, Raheem Sterling enjoyed a surprising return to form at Euro 2020. The England man bagged three goals and an assist in his side's run to the final.
The pacy forward has gone from strength to strength in his time at Manchester City after starting as a prodigious talent at Liverpool. Raheem Sterling is just 26-years-old and already has nearly a decade of experience in the English top flight. He is the type of player that Real Madrid have signed from England in the past, such as David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to bolster his attacking options and City have been linked with both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane. The sale of Sterling may bolster both clubs and allow Real Madrid to cover the misfiring Eden Hazard and the precariously placed Gareth Bale.
#3 Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur's unsettled talisman Harry Kane is one of football's most lethal goalscorers. The Englishman has established himself as the marquee global superstar of his generation after dominating the Premier League goalscoring charts.
Enduring a trophyless run at Spurs, Real Madrid may offer Kane an undeniable opportunity to challenge for domestic and continental honours. His newfound strength as a deep-lying centre-forward could see him link up and provide for the likes of Vinicius Jr and Eden Hazard. Whilst Karim Benzema is still a bonafide force in the Real Madrid attack, the club will be anxious to ensure his eventual departure does not disrupt team chemistry.
#2 Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski seems to be seeking a new challenge after destroying almost every Bundesliga goalscoring record during his time with Bayern Munich. However, the 32-year-old Polish hitman may not be in line with Real Madrid's usual transfer policy of signing players in their 20s. But Lewandowski is showing no signs of slowing down.
After being denied a Ballon d'Or in a record-breaking treble season in 2019-20, Lewandowski could now fulfill his lifelong dream of playing for Real Madrid while still at the peak of his powers.
#1 Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund
Erling Haaland is perhaps the only European talent who rivals Kylian Mbappe as the new generation's heir apparent for the best player crown. The 20-year-old Norwegian has taken the Bundesliga by storm.
His raw pace, power and clinical finishing make him a one-in-a-generation in a generation talent that would naturally attract Los Blancos' attention. Haaland won't come cheap, though, with Europe's biggest superclubs lined up to avail his services either this summer or the next.
Erling Haaland's arrival at Real Madrid would signal a revival of the "Galactico" era that has been missing over the last couple of years.
