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Given Real Madrid's extreme underperformance in 2018/2019, it is not a surprise that a wholesale clear-out is expected at the club in the summer.
Los Blancos saw their season effectively end in March, as they were knocked out by Ajax in the round-of-16 of the Champions League while also failing to mount anything nearing a challenge for the league title.
Upon Zinedine Zidane's reappointment, one of the first things he promised was to revamp the squad and the club has been linked with a host of world class players and one name which has constantly appeared on the list is that of Paul Pogba.
The World Cup winner has been at Manchester United for the last three years, but has not done enough to justify the world record fee the Red Devils paid Juventus to sign him.
However the Premier League giants are holding firm and would not let their prized asset leave on a cheap, with reports emanating that they are holding out for a fee of over €170m.
Given Pogba's inconsistencies and divisive nature, that amount seems a bit exorbitant and Real Madrid would be best suited to spend that money elsewhere since they are reportedly close to announcing the signing of Hazard for the sum of £100m. In this piece, we shall be having a rundown of four cheaper alternatives Real Madrid should consider to Paul Pogba.
#4 Tanguy Ndombele
Like Paul Pogba, Ndombele is also a French international and has seen his stock rise over the last one year.
The 22-year-old won plenty admirers for his tenacious displays in the middle of the park for Lyon and has emerged as one of the most highly sought after players, as he is reported to be on the radar of a host of clubs.
Given his age, he still has a lot of development, while he does not come with the excess baggage that Pogba brings with him and given his relatively low value of €50m, his signing would represent a transfer bargain for Real Madrid.
#3 Giovani Lo Celso
After failing to make the grade with French Ligue 1 side PSG, Giovani Lo Celso arrived Real Betis in August 2018 on a season long loan with the option to buy.
The 22-year-old's performance was so impressive that the club activated their buy back option in April 2019.
Lo Celso was one of the driving forces behind Real Betis's impressive start to the season, dictating play from the middle of the park, with his close control and ball technique as well as precise passing proving integral to Quique Setien men's playing pattern.
In total, he made 32 La Liga appearances, scoring nine goals and creating four assists to help Los Verdiblancos to a respectable 10th place finish in the league.
His form saw him deservedly named in Argentina's 23-man squad for the upcoming Copa America as Luis Scaloni attempts to become the first manager to win a major trophy for La Albiceleste since 1993.
Giovani Lo Celso currently has a value of €40m and Real Madrid would do well to consider him rather than Paul Pogba.
#2 Ezequiel Palacios
Ezequiel Palacios has impressed with his displays in Argentine with his native River Plate and has emerged as a transfer target for Los Blancos, with reports that the club has monitored him since late last year.
The 20-year-old made his debut for Los Millionaros in 2015 and has since then integrated himself into th first team, winning admiration for his versatility which sees him operate anywhere across the middle of the field and his displays saw him included in Argentina's 23-man Copa America squad.
With a value of just €20m, Palacios would come as a bargain buy given his extreme talent levels, while his young age means that he still has at least a decade of top professional football left to play.
Reports have however emerged that Arsenal have overtaken Real Madrid in the race for the youngster's signature and as such would have to move quickly to secure his services.
#1 Christian Eriksen
Over the last six years, Christian Eriksen has gone on to become one of the best attacking midfielders not just in the Premier League, but also anywhere in the world.
The Danish international is blessed with wonderful vision and technique wile his passing ability is right up there with the best in the world possessing an innate ability to play teammates in with his pin-point passing accuracy.
However, for all of his talents, the 27-year-old has a rather scanty medal collection to show, while Totttenham's wage cap means he is not paid on par with players of similar or even less abilities to him.
Speculations have emerged that Real Madrid are interested in his servicesc and with his value estimated to be worth €85m, he would undoubtedly be a cheaper and more effective alternative to Paul Pogba and the Spanish giants should do all in their power to sign him.
