How Real Madrid Could Line Up With Kylian Mbappe & Key Transfer Targets

If there was ever a reminder of just how big of a club Real Madrid are, let it be their recent social media posts. Following the broadcast that celebrated their 15th Champions League title, the Carlo Ancelotti-led club announced the free transfer of Kylian Mbappe upon his contract expiry at PSG almost immediately afterwards.

The string of social media crows flaunted the club’s position on the continent’s throne. But just as all seemed quiet in the Spanish capital after an outburst of triumph, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano brought more news of potential incomings to ensure the racket – crystallising in the Santiago Bernabeu and scattering across European football – would soon return.

Already boasting the masterful talents of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, among others, it’s almost inconceivable to imagine how new players could slot into next season’s lineup. But as always, Los Blancos will find a way to maintain their status as the biggest and best football club in world football, and there are three more names touted to join the Galacticos.

Four Other Targets Wanted Alongside Mbappe

Real Madrid want Alphonso Davies, Leny Yoro, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Franco Mastantuono

Speaking to CaughtOffside in June 2024, Romano revealed that Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies remains a target, while there’s also interest in two promising youngsters in the form of Lille defender Leny Yoro and River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono – with the former having been given a seat at Wembley Stadium by the club for the Champions League final.

While they may not be able to get that deal for Yoro over the line – amid rival links to Manchester United – Romano has more recently also revealed that Los Blancos are ‘monitoring’ Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. With his undoubted quality, especially from set pieces, he certainly would be an interesting talent to throw into the Madrid mix.

Davies, although in a contract stand-off with his current club, looks like a classic Real Madrid signing. He is in his prime, marketable, and exciting – while the current first-choice in his position, Ferland Mendy, is a better defensive option, the Canadian international brings a differential to Ancelotti’s reckoning, and provides a unique lane of attack.

At 18 years old, Yoro has been tipped to make it to the big time. He relies a lot on his high sense of positional awareness, ability to read the game, and technical skills when performing tackles, which acts as a complementative skillset to Antonio Rudiger. While the German tends to venture forward and play a riskier game, Yoro is the perfect yang to Real Madrid’s Yin in the heart of defence. However, it appears as though Manchester United may win that particular transfer race, with the Frenchman looking set for a Premier League move.

Los Blancos’ continued faith in youth persists through the rumoured interest in River Plate’s Mastantuono – a player likened to Phil Foden. After securing teenage Brazilian revelation Endrick earlier this year, the arrival of another South American prodigy fits the bill as a signing for the future – and if all works out, at the very least, the club could profit from a higher sell-on fee after moulding him into a polished diamond in La Fabrica (Real Madrid’s youth academy).

Real Madrid’s transfer policy revolves around the constant need to freshen up the lineup whilst also having one eye fixated on the future. This way, players stay hungry for success and know that they must always be at the top of their game to retain their position in the squad in the following season.

This is a strategy that has also helped Manchester City remain at the pinnacle of English football, and Bayern Munich (until this season) continue to fortify their stature as German football’s powerhouse dynasty. As evidenced, the approach consistently delivers the best outcomes.

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How Real Madrid Could Line Up

In the post-Kroos era, there’s no concern that silverware will dry up

Of course, not every new signing is expected to be thrown into the deep end and straight into Real Madrid’s starting lineup, especially since the current squad has just won the Champions League and La Liga double. However, with Toni Kroos now retired after EURO 2024, Luka Modric turning 39 in September (although committing to one more year with the club), and the quality of the arrivals factored in, there will be a surfeit of opportunities to impress Ancelotti next season. Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni could step into midfield and with Alexander-Arnold at right-back, the passing of Modric and Kroos would not be quite so keenly felt.

The most interesting decision the Italian must make is whether to start Davies or Mendy at left-back. The former offers attacking prowess, but the latter is more defensively equipped to deal with opposition wingers. This, therefore, could see rotation become a heavy component in the 2024/25 campaign, with Davies likely to start games where Ancelotti can see the benefits of overloading one side against weaker right-backs.

As a loyal and dependable servant, Nacho Fernandez has been fantastic during his tenure in the Spanish capital but his time in the sunshine has come to an end. At 34 years old, the defender has joined Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah. While there’s still a chance that Yoro could sign, for now it seems more realistic that Rudiger will play alongside Eder Militao and veteran David Alaba next term – with William Saliba a touted target for 2025.

There’s obviously no doubt Mbappe will be a starter for Real Madrid. He is currently one of the best footballers in world football and will hope to join his teammates as a true Ballon d’Or challenger during his time in Spain. His remarkable tally of 256 goals and 108 assists in 308 appearances for PSG make him a nailed-on superstar set to continue his world-beating streak for Europe’s top club.

For new arrival Endrick and potential youth signing Mastantuono, they will likely have to settle for positions on the bench, at least for the opening few months of the title defence. The former is certainly more than capable of making a difference from the bench, with his goal against England showcasing just that.

But considering the Brazilian is jostling with Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Vinicius for a starting berth, he can probably understand the reasoning behind this. He will also be joined by the likes of Brahim Diaz, Edouardo Camavinga, and Andriy Lunin, and Arda Guler on the sidelines, showing just how deep Real Madrid’s pool of talent goes.