With Kylian Mbappe deciding to extend his contract with PSG for another three years, Real Madrid has had its plans go askew. Their unflinching pursuit of Mbappe seemed like it was coming to an end this season, but the striker turned his back at the last moment.
Earlier this year, Real Madrid cooled down their interest in Erling Haaland as they were very much sure of Mbappe’s arrival. Now Haaland has already signed a contract with Manchester City, meaning Los Blancos lost out on two of the hottest properties of the game.
Read More: Kylian Mbappe Could Have Been Playing For Liverpool Instead Of PSG
They will now need to completely alter their planning for the transfer window. While both Mbappe and Haaland are a step above others in the market, all is not lost for Madrid.
Here’s a look at five transfer targets for Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez for the next season:
1. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool contract is set to expire next season. There hasn’t been any progress in his contract extension agreement, as Liverpool is reportedly not willing to agree to his demand of a ‘£400,000-a-week’ salary. The Merseyside club would not like to be in a situation where Salah walks out as a free agent.
This is where Real Madrid can lure him with a lucrative contract. Still in his prime, Salah’s acquisition will solve their attacking woes, as they will get someone who has been the Premier League’s top-scorer on two occasions.
2. Serge Gnabry
Serge Gnabry will enter the last season of his contract at Bayern Munich in 2022/23. He has stalled the renewal agreement over a wage dispute. According to German media, Gnabry’s demand of 19 million euros a year is not being entertained by his present club. He has been linked up with some clubs from the Premier League, including his former employer Arsenal. But none of these clubs could match the offer if Real Madrid comes into the race.
3. Raheem Sterling
With Erling Haaland set to be a regular striker from the next season, it wouldn’t be easy for Raheem Sterling to be a regular starter in their much-vaunted attacking line-up. At 27, no players want to waste time warming the bench. Thus he would feel this is the right time to move away from Manchester City.
Sterling has craved a move to Real Madrid. In 2020, Sterling talked about his love for Los Blancos, and even posed with their jersey. Moreover, being a regular starter at a club like Madrid will also help him secure his place in England’s squad for the World Cup.
4. Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunu was rumored to join PSG if the club fails to retain Kylian Mbappe. Till last season, he was playing as an attacking midfielder, feeding balls to forwards like Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen. This season the head coach Domenico Tedesco has deployed him as a pure striker, and he finished the Bundesliga 2021/22 with 34 goals. He also netted a hat-trick against Manchester City in the group stage of the Champions League.
5. Ousman Dembele
Ousman Dembele’s contract with FC Barcelona has run its course. Barcelona is already going through a financial crisis, and they may not be able to fulfill Dembele’s demand. Although he is prone to injury, a fully fit Dembele is a totally different proposition. But this is going to be perhaps the last option for Real Madrid. Only if they fail to bring in the other names in the list, they will turn to this 25-year-old winger.
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