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Carlo Ancelotti is back at Real Madrid after spending a season managing Premier League side Everton.
Los Blancos finished second in La Liga last season, two points behind their arch-rivals Atletico Madrid. However, disappointments in domestic cup competitions and the UEFA Champions League meant that Zinedine Zidane lost his job. A few players could also be on their way out of the club soon.
Similar to most La Liga clubs, Real Madrid are in a financially tight position this summer. Although David Alba has joined the club on a free transfer, veteran defender Sergio Ramos has left, and Raphael Varane could also depart soon.
Real Madrid's main focus for this transfer window appears to be in the areas of midfield and attack. They have identified several targets, and here's a look at five players who have been linked with moves to Los Blancos.
#5 Leon Goretzka
Real Madrid are among the many admirers of Leon Goretzka, who will be a free agent next summer. The Bayern Munich midfielder has yet to sign a contract extension and is said to be very interested in joining Los Blancos.
With Real Madrid's ageing midfield, signing Goretzka seems like a wise decision, given that he has a wealth of experience playing in Europe. Furthermore, the Germany international has the best minute-per-goal contribution ratio of any central midfielder over the last two Bundesliga campaigns.
Although Manchester United are also lining up a move for Goretzka this summer, Real Madrid remain confident and are set to begin contract talks with him in January 2022.
#4 Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez is another player who has attracted interest from Real Madrid. After winning the Serie A title, Martinez's agent is believed to have travelled to Spain to meet representatives from Los Blancos and Atletico Madrid.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a fantastic season, scoring three goals in six Copa America appearances for Argentina. At the club level, he finished the 2020-21 campaign with 17 goals and 10 assists in 38 Serie A games.
While his contract with Inter Milan expires in 2023, both parties have yet to sit down to discuss the terms of an extension. This gives Real Madrid a great opportunity to sign the player, but the Nerazzurri are likely to demand at least €80 million.
Atletico Madrid had previously submitted a bid worth €40 million but was rejected by the Italian club.
#3 Mohamed Salah
Despite Liverpool's eagerness to keep Mohamed Salah at Anfield beyond his current contract, there is speculation that the Egyptian may leave this summer. Real Madrid are keeping tabs on his situation.
Since joining the Reds in 2017, Salah has helped Jurgen Klopp's side win one Premier League title and one UEFA Champions League trophy. He has also been the club's top-scorer every season, clinching the Premier League Golden Boot on two occasions.
With two years left on his contract, Real Madrid will have to fork out a significant sum to sign Salah this summer. The forward previously spoke about the prospect of playing in La Liga. He said:
“Madrid and Barcelona are top clubs. We never know what is going to happen in the future, but right now I’m focused on winning the Premier and the Champions League again with my club. Of course I want to break records here and, I repeat, every record in the club, but everything’s in the hands of the club.”
#2 Erling Haaland
Back in June, Erling Haaland reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid next season. However, after losing Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund will be reluctant to let the Norwegian leave this summer.
The Bundesliga club are demanding at least £150 million for the player, which Real Madrid are currently unable to match. Chelsea, on the other hand, are also interested in signing the 21-year-old this summer and are reportedly willing to pay the fee.
The chances of Los Blancos signing Haaland seem to get bleaker with each passing day. Unless Ancelotti's side can get rid of some deadwood and raise sufficient funds, this deal is unlikely to happen.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
According to multiple reports, Kylian Mbappe, who has entered the final year of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), will not sign an extension with the French club. Instead, he is prepared to be a free agent and is keen to join Real Madrid next summer.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has always been interested in bringing Mbappe on board. Despite his departure from the club, Los Blancos remain determined to sign the French forward after missing out on him in 2017.
Sergio Ramos, who just joined PSG from Real Madrid, believes Mbappe should join the La Liga team one day. He said:
“Of course. Real Madrid is one of the best clubs in the world and on a historic level, the best. For me the best players have to go there. But now I want him in my team. I want to win and to do that I want the best players on my side."
The 22-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid in almost every transfer window and looks destined to become a Los Blancos player at some point in his career.
