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What's the rumour?
Real Madrid are all set to launch a stunning €570 million move for Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and one of David de Gea or Thibaut Courtois this summer, according to a report in British news publication, The Daily Mail. In addition, Los Blancos plan to replace Zinedine Zidane with Mauricio Pochettino, especially now that their season hinges on their UEFA Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
The report claims that Florentino Perez has grown frustrated with Madrid's dismal state of affairs and plans an astonishing summer swoop that will include breaking Neymar's world record fee with €228 million (£200m) bids for both Eden Hazard and Harry Kane.
Having lost out on Kepa Arrizabalaga, the report also claims that a €114 million (£100m) move for David de Gea will materialize, failing which Thibaut Courtois is their next target.
In case you didn't know...
Harry Kane came through the ranks at Tottenham, after a few mediocre loan spells away, only to blossom under Mauricio Pochettino. In total, the Englishman has scored 128 goals in 194 appearances for the club. As for Eden Hazard, the Belgian has been involved in 154 goals (84 goals, 70 assists) in 280 games for Chelsea in all competitions.
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The heart of the matter
Zinedine Zidane has overseen a dismal season for Real Madrid so far, which has seen Los Blancos fall 19 points behind Barcelona. The report claims that Florentino Perez views Harry Kane as the perfect player to build the next successful generation around. However, even a world-record bid might not be enough for Tottenham to part with their prized asset.
Thus, the report claims, Perez would like to install Pochettino as Madrid manager, and thereby tempt Kane to move to the Bernabeu. As for Eden Hazard, his father, Thierry, previously claimed that his son has rejected a new deal from Chelsea in case an offer from Real Madrid emerges.
David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois both have contracts that only last until the summer of 2019, which means that in 11 months they can begin negotiating a free transfer away from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Rumour rating/probability
The Daily Mail is hardly the most accurate of publications, at the best of times - and while the idea that Florentino Perez will unleash another Galactico era is plausible, the sums mentioned are rather eye-watering, especially given that it would constitute 84.5% of Real Madrid's record revenue in 2017.
Also Read: Top 10 richest clubs - Deloitte Football Money League 2018
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Author's take:
Fanciful it may be, but if Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and David de Gea are on their way, it would mean the end of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Keylor Navas. While Madrid may recoup a large part of that fee, the resulting upgrade in personnel ought to restore Los Blancos back to the summit of world football.
