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Ever since his second coming as Real president, Florentino Pérez has switched up from the Pavónes y Zidanes policy of his first tenure.
This policy meant that the club targeted star signings (Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Micheal Owen) while keeping a judicious mix of homegrown talent (the Pavónes stands for centre-back Francisco Pavón, one of the few homegrown players in the Los Merengues team of that era).
This saw the spending of huge sums on star attacking players but ignored the defensive side of things and was ultimately proven to be unsustainable.
Following the splurge of the 2009 -2014 phase of his second tenure, Don Florentino, as he is called, decided to switch up the policy to favour the addition of younger players who could offer more value long-term to the club.
#5 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao)
Who to replace: Keylor Navas
Buyout Clause: Currently €20m
The young custodian between the sticks for one of Spain’s most storied clubs, Kepa has long been spoken of in glowing terms by regular watchers of La Liga.
Rumours are already swirling that due to his contract situation at San Mames (he has less than 6 months left), top clubs could tempt the usually stubborn Athletic board to part with their beloved goalie for less than the official quoted fee. These rumours have put Real Madrid at the top of the queue as Los Merengues are said to be ready to pay €20m in January to prevent Kepa from renewing his contract at Athletic Bilbao or joining another club.
A goalie, keeping in tradition with the tall Spanish, wiry-looking goaltenders, Kepa is a very agile goalie who for a young man commands his area very well.
Blessed with quick reflexes, fantastic positioning and a fearlessness to come out and get the ball (an unusual trait among Spanish goalkeepers), Kepa would make a great long-term purchase for Real Madrid as first choice Keylor Navas is getting on in years and has not been the most convincing in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Current second choice Kiko Casilla is clearly not good enough to be the first choice for a club of Real’s stature and the same goes for youth team products Luca Zidane & Rubén Yáñez (who has since left the club).
The purchase of Kepa would finally end the David de Gea transfer saga and will ensure that Los Merengues have a potentially world-class talent between the sticks for a long while (similar to how Iker Casillas became a mainstay of the club).
Also read: 5 defenders Real Madrid should buy in January
#4 Toni Lato (Valencia)
Who to Replace: Marcelo
Buyout Clause: Unknown
Competition is vital for the biggest clubs as this ensures that players give 100% at all times.
Marcelo has been an awesome servant for Real Madrid since he joined in the January transfer window in 2007 from Fluminense but Father Time is beginning to catch up with the Brazilian and there is a need for ready-made replacements to be in place before his legs give up completely.
19-year-old Theo Hernandez was brought in from Atletico Madrid this season and the prognosis is that the young French left-back is a quality player and will provide a great long-term option for the left side the Los Blancos defence.
However, in looking to eventually replace Marcelo (who is currently 29 years of age) effectively when he leaves, Florentino Perez and coach Zinedine Zidane can take a look at Valencia’s emerging young left back Toni Lato.
Young Lato has been receiving rave reviews ever since he made the step up from the academy to the first team at Los Che and alongside fellow youth team product José Luis Gayà, the left side of the Valencia defence will not be an issue for years to come.
Pacy, defensively solid, intelligent and an effective team player, Lato should be entering his peak years by the time Marcelo is ready to leave the Santiago Bernabeu and would have no problems replacing the Brazillian legend.
Also read: 5 players Real Madrid should have bought last summer
#3 Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Who to Replace: Cristiano Ronaldo
Buyout Clause: Currently €50m
The fact that Inaki still plays his football at San Mames in this era of crazy transfer fees and player power is a testament to, among other things, the player’s calm disposition, Athletic’s great management and the affinity the lad has for the club.
The Spanish U-21 international who was born to a Ghanaian father and Liberian mother has long been on the radar of major clubs in Europe like Juventus, Liverpool, Napoli and many more.
Fast, strong, skilful and with a lot of room for improvement, Inaki looks to be a ready-made replacement for the immortal Cristiano Ronaldo in the Real Madrid line up.
He would offer qualities that are very similar to that of a 24-year-old Cristiano with the added bonus of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful being able to watch him develop into the world-class attacker it is obvious he can become.
Regular La Liga observers have observed that Inaki like most of the young Bilbao players has basically gotten to the best level he can get to at the club and needs to move to a more challenging environment to bring out the best in himself.
In return, Real would be getting a player who is already very good but who is still nowhere near the finished article; a deal that would suit both player, club (and national team) perfectly.
#2 Carlos Soler (Valencia)
Who to Replace: Toni Kroos
Current Buyout Clause: €45m
One of the next generation Spanish midfielders; Soler is already a highly sought-after player despite having made less than 50 first team appearances for Valencia.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly an admirer and is said to have told managing director Ed Woodward to make a bid for the Valencian youth prodigy.
Tenacious and possessing the unique characteristics of the archetypal Spanish midfielder-- close control, an eye for a pass, technique, and intelligence-- Soler has become a mainstay in coach Marcellino Toral’s new look Valencia side patrolling the middle of the park alongside captain Daniel Parejo and French workhorse Geoffrey Kondogbia.
The 20-year-old Spanish youth international started his career as a striker but was moved to the middle of the park by his youth team coaches who felt his talent would be wasted upfront.
The Valencian would be a perfect replacement should Real Madrid ever decide to dispense with the services of world-class metronome Toni Kroos who has become one of the best midfielders in the world since his move to the Bernabeu.
#1 Jorge Meré (FC Köln)
Who to Replace: Sergio Ramos
Estimated Transfer Price: €25m
One of the most highly rated defenders to emerge from a league not exactly renowned for its defensive prowess, Jorge Meré has everything needed to get to the top and could prove to be a valuable long-term asset for Real Madrid if signed.
The youngster has been unfortunate to have been in weak teams (his former team Sporting Gijon were relegated from La Liga last season while his new German side is currently bottom of the Bundesliga table) but this has not stopped his quality from shining through.
A good reader of the game who defends with intelligence rather than brute strength, the Sporting Gijón youth product is good in the air and is aggressive-- traits that he shares with the player he would most likely replace if he ever moves to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sergio Ramos has been an awesome piece of business ever since his €27m move from Sevilla at the very tender age of 19 but the captain is 31 and given the energy and passion he plays with, it is doubtful he will be around for the next five years.
Meré would be a great replacement for Capitan Fantastico and given Köln’s almost certain relegation, he would be a cheaper option compared to other potential centre-back targets.
