In the current window, which player should Real Madrid buy? David Alaba or Rafael Leao? Surely both players would be great additions to Madrid’s midfield. But whose contract is more valuable? Both players have immense potential. I have a few candidates in mind, but Rafael Leao is the one I’m most interested in. I’ll explain why. But first, we should talk about who should Madrid try to sign.
Rafael Leao
There is no question that Rafael Leao is one of the best players in Serie A. Despite being under contract until 2024, his form for AC Milan has helped the club win the Serie A title and earn him the league’s player of the season award. The Brazilian is a great fit for Real Madrid, and the club should invest heavily in him. If he leaves the club, it would make sense for Real Madrid to sell him in the summer transfer window.
Nevertheless, the prospect of Leao leaving Milan is a risky one. While his contract is up in 2024, the Italians are in the process of negotiating a new deal that will take him to the end of 2026. He has a EUR150 million release clause, which makes Madrid unlikely to trigger it if he wants to sign for the Spanish giants. But, Milan are confident that they will be able to keep Leao at the San Siro for the next few years.
Leao is an excellent attacking player who has the potential to improve Real Madrid’s attacking options. During last season, he scored 19 goals and contributed to 34 assists in the Serie A title-winning campaign. While Real Madrid are the preferred bidders, Man City and Paris Saint-Germain have also been keeping an eye on the Portuguese international. There is a high chance that any of the three sides will make an official approach to sign him.
AC Milan have been linked with Rafael Leao in recent transfer windows. He joined the club from Lille in 2019. This season, he played a key role in the success of AC Milan in Serie A. This season, he netted 11 goals and provided eight assists for his team. Leao was named the league’s MVP, and his recent form is a reason for Real Madrid to be interested.
PSG, who signed Nuno Mendes from Sporting CP last season, have been linked with Leao for the past two years. Leao has played exclusively as a left winger this season, and he has made only 32 appearances. His 22 goals and 15 assists are an impressive record, especially when compared to his time at Lille. With that much potential in the market, Real Madrid should not miss out on this promising Brazilian in the 2017 transfer window.
Milan are keen to sell strikers this summer, and Leao may be the perfect choice. The Brazilian has impressive Serie A numbers and can play either wide or through the centre. Leao is still young, and his price tag is likely to put the club off, however. Bayern Munich are trying to tie down Serge Gnabry and he would not be a bad backup for Benzema.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, there is no shortage of rumours and a few done deals. Manchester City are also believed to be interested in Leao. The Portuguese forward has been on the radar of many European clubs, and could potentially replace Raheem Sterling in the Premier League. With his talent and versatility, Leao would be an excellent addition to any team. You can read more about the upcoming summer transfer window at Transfer Talk.
Despite the interest of Real Madrid in Leao, the Portuguese club are looking for a left-back. Rafael Leao and Romelu Lukaku have both been linked with Real Madrid. Nevertheless, they are unlikely to move for one another this summer. While the Frenchman is a proven quality, the club would be better off if they signed a proven left-back in the summer.
David Alaba
The Austria international is available for free this summer after agreeing to join Real Madrid on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old has been a key player for Real Madrid this season, starting all 30 La Liga games. He is a very versatile player and is often found playing in central midfield for his national team. The Spanish champions should be able to use his experience to their advantage in the transfer market.
Having Alaba and Gutierrez as the team’s left-back options would be problematic, as they would have to rely on both for the rest of the season. While both are excellent players, they are not quite the same. Mendy is a better left-back than Alaba, and he is already approaching his prime. Real Madrid should also consider the fact that he is a good chemistry partner for Vinicius Jr.
In recent years, Real Madrid has attempted to counteract the rise of state ownership in European football by spending huge amounts of money to sign marquee players. They are actively looking to make marquee signings. Other notable players who have been linked with Real Madrid include Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. However, none of these players have been confirmed as Real Madrid’s top target.
Aside from David Alaba, the club should also consider signing midfielder Haaland. It is reported that Haaland is a prime target for most big European clubs, but Real Madrid could still make a January move. If the Spanish club has the money to spend on him, it’s worth it. With all of the new players coming to the market, Real Madrid is able to buy more quality players.
In the 2011/12 season, Alaba was awarded the Austrian Footballer of the Year award. The following year, he scored the only goal against Ireland. A few weeks later, he scored the final goal against the Faroe Islands to ensure his country’s qualification for UEFA EURO 2016.
The club is also monitoring the situation of defender Antonio Rudiger. It is believed that Bayern Munich are willing to match his EUR12m a year demands. But even if it doesn’t, Real Madrid should keep an eye on him. Despite the high cost, the German international is an asset to Real Madrid. The club has the money to buy him and he is a key piece in the Real Madrid’s future.
Although he hasn’t been glamorous, Nacho Fernandez has been a vital member of the team this season. He has started 13 La Liga matches and has played every position across the back line. He is the team’s John O’Shea. However, he lacks pace to play in full back positions. While his contract is until 2025, Real Madrid will be more open to selling him this summer.
Another player Real Madrid should consider buying in the 2017 transfer window is Camavinga. The French midfielder is under contract with Rennes until 2022, making him an attractive option for the Spanish side. The club can also buy Camavinga from PSG for PS27m, if they don’t want to sign him for the same fee as Morata. Whether or not the club makes a deal, Camavinga has a bright future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Aouar could also be a player Real Madrid should look to buy in the 2017 transfer window. He could act as a like-for-like replacement for Modric, and he could provide a foil for Toni Kroos. While he may not be able to replace Modric, Aouar has the potential to provide creative numbers in the midfield, and the potential to become a crucial player for Real Madrid in the future.
Despite his age, Bale is an enigma for Real Madrid. A legendary player at Real Madrid, Bale is currently a target for a new team. He has won countless trophies at the Bernabeu, but the local press has painted him as a villain. His controversial behavior and rants have not helped his cause. Although the former Wales international has shown some quality in the Premier League, he has struggled to impress in the last two seasons. If Real Madrid are willing to sign him, it could be a good time for Bale to play again.
