Top 7 midfielders in Real Madrid’s wish-list

Real Madrid are planning to renew their squad in the next summer transfer market in order to prepare for a possible one-year transfer ban.

According to the latest Los Merengues transfer news, Zinedine Zidane could see up to ten men leave the club, so he will need to bring in plenty of new players.

Last week we analysed the centre-backs that Los Blancos are eyeing. This time we take a look at the midfielders that Florentino Perez and Zidane are considering to sign. These are the top 7 candidates to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.

7. Vladimir Darida

Darida is a 25-year-old defensive midfielder who plays at Bundesliga side Hertha BSC. He has been recently linked with Real Madrid following a report revealed by Spanish newspaper El Pais, in which Los Blancos scouting experts recommend to sign the Czech international. He is a player of great physical strength and would be a cheap choice, as his current market value is just seven million euros. However, a few members of the board of directors believe he is not good enough to join Real and that will complicate his arrival.

6. Lucas Lima

The Brazilian has been in Real Madrid’s radar for a few months now. He has been incredible at Santos, conquering the league title and being named in the team of the year. The 25-year-old has caught the attention of many European giants. However, the investment group that owns 80% of the player’s rights are expecting to sell him for 60 million euros, and there is no way Florentino Perez will pay that amount for a footballer that has no experience in European leagues.

5. Rodrigo Bentancur

The 19-year-old is one of the biggest prospects in Argentina. Los Blancos held negotiations with Boca Juniors during the winter transfer market and for a few days it seemed like a done deal. According to reports from Spanish newspaper Marca, Perez had agreed to pay 10 million euros for the midfielder. However, in the last minute he changed his mind. Bentancur is a young talented player with a bright future ahead and it wouldn’t be surprising if Real finally bring him. However, he would probably be loaned to other team where he could adapt to European football.

4. Youri Tielemans

The 18-year-old has been a personal recommendation of Zinedine Zidane, according to Marca. The Los Blancos manager believes Tielemans will become one of the greatest midfielders in Europe and he wants Madrid to sign him now that his price is still affordable, just like they did with Raphael Varane. The Anderletcht man has made a big impression in the Belgian league. He is a player of great quality and strong mentality, and he could cost less than 20 million euros.

3. N’Golo Kante

Thanks to his excellent season at Leicester, the French midfielder has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe. He is also one of the players recommended by Los Blancos scouts in the report revealed by El Pais. Kante has been compared to Claude Makelele, probably the last world-class defensive midfielder to have played at the Santiago Bernabeu, so certainly Zidane would love to have a player like him. The competition to sign him next summer is expected to be tough, with Arsenal and Chelsea also interested in bringing him.

2. Paul Pogba

The Juventus star has been one of Florentino Perez’s most desired players for some time. Barcelona also want him badly, but in both cases the main problem is his price. The Italians expect to get near 100 million euros for the France international, and the only team that seem willing to pay that amount are Paris Saint-Germain. Pogba would surely be an excellent add for Los Blancos. Perez hopes Real’s buy-back clause on Alvaro Morata can help him exert pressure on Juve to reduce the price, but still that will be a difficult deal.

1. Marco Verratti

The Paris Saint-Germain footballer was Carlo Ancelotti’s favourite to reinforce Los Blancos’ midfield, and Zidane also seems keen on bringing him. The 23-year-old would help Real gain balance, as he is a very complete box-to-box midfielder. The main obstacle for his arrival is again his price. The Italian had a buy-out clause of 50 million euros, but he has recently signed a contract extension, possibly increasing that clause. Still he is cheaper than Pogba and Perez could include other players in the deal to try to convince PSG.